Poverty blamed for rise in abandoned pets
An animal shelter on the south coast says poverty has contributed to the rise in abandoned pets and street animals.
Petra Koekemoer, who is with 4 Paws and a Tale, an Umkomaas-based NPO, says they look after 48 dogs at the sanctuary.
Koekemoer says it's been tough on them financially.
"Unemployment is rife, and grandmothers sit with four to five children that they look after. The dogs are the last ones that get food.
"There are a lot of people who have not worked since COVID-19, so when they don't have food, they are surely not going to give their food to the dogs. Your biggest problem is poverty."
Koekemoer says they also take care of around 70 canines in townships in the area.
She says they're in urgent need of assistance with food, blankets, and kennels.
"We go through 25kgs of dog food a day. I pay R820 for a 40kg bag of food. There are so many hikes in food prices – it’s crazy."
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