CEO explains how CoGH SPCA deals with carcass removal

In response to the grim article regarding the disposal of animal carcasses by the Randfontein SPCA which appeared in several prominent national newspapers I feel it necessary to inform readers of the lengths that the Cape of Good Hope SPCA goes to to ensure that each and every deceased animal entrusted to our care is ensured a dignified ending.

Before elaborating on the disposal process I would like to remind everyone of the SPCA’s ethos regarding how we as a profession value and define animals - namely as sentient beings not as mere property or possessions to be thrown on the rubbish dump once they become worthless.
It is this misperception that needs to be urgently rectified and account needs to be taken and credit given for the hundreds of thousands of animals that the SPCA profession can proudly claim to have saved from the depths of despair and situations that can only be described as hell on earth.

It’s a disturbing reality that the SPCA is forced to euthanase many animals that are not wanted – despite making every effort to find them new homes and educate the public about the need for spaying and neutering.

It is subsequently so disheartening to think that the opinion of the SPCA may have been swayed by an individual act of perceived callousness when in reality there is no such thing as a happy funeral. They are by definition sad and emotive.

In the case of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA we have a pet cemetery filled to capacity with beautifully worded headstones. During the time that this was in operation I attended many pet funerals sometimes with my staff at my side and sometimes with a bereaved owner.  We helped one another to cope with the reality of death and depending on the circumstances leading to the demise of the animal were sometimes comforted by the thought that there are indeed fates far worse than a humane ending. 

We used to operate an incinerator which was decommissioned many years ago due to a variety of environmental factors including air pollution and the mere sight of the chimney stack used to send shivers down our spines.  So it was a blessed day when it was demolished in favour of the animals being buried off site by a professional service provider sub-contracted to the City of Cape Town.

These days all animal carcasses are carefully placed into purpose made bio-degradable body bags under the strict supervision of a suitably qualified supervisor placed in a chiller room to destroy any bacteria and germs and collected promptly every morning by the City’s service provider who then discreetly conveys them together with other deceased animal carcasses to their final resting place at a near-by professionally managed landfill site.

We do also allow owners the option of making private arrangements and have helped arrange countless private cremations.

For the Financial Year 2009/2010 we received a Grant-in-Aid of R150 000.00 from the City of Cape Town for carcass removal.  This based on future projections is going to be inadequate.  We are charged R59.26 per bag (ex VAT) by the City’s service provider Shine the Way.  Over the past 4 months (Jul to Oct 09) we paid the service provider R89 985.05 for the removal of 1 332 bags.  An average of 333 bags per month.

Add to this the cost of collection of the animal(s) costs of attempts at saving the animals life cost of the bio-degradable bags cost of the euthanase solution and professional fees to administer and it adds up to a significant investment by our Society to guarantee that all animals are put to sleep compassionately and that they are afforded a dignified end.

It is worthwhile to note that this Grant-in-Aid is the ONLY form of financial assistance that we receive from the government.  ALL other costs totaling close to RM16 are covered by public donations upon which the organisation relies for its existence.
 
Allan Perrins
CEO

[posted 4 December 2009]