01/06/2026
Sad reality
I am writing this post because I have recently left my position at the Wellington SPCA, and in doing that, I have something that I feel needs to be shared among the greater community - some awareness as to what actually happens in these animal welfare societies.
The SPCA generally has a reputation for being “pro-euthanasia”, and to be honest, when I first started at the Wellington SPCA 8 years ago I was worried that I would disagree with their rules and regulations and struggle to make my way. But after working there, I now see why there currently isn’t any other way.
The reality of our situation in South Africa is that we have TOO MANY animals. Too many unsterilized animals, with too many people that don’t have the education or the money to look after them. And after every other organization is full - the SPCA becomes your only option.
The SPCA is not full of people that are “pro-euthanasia”. We are the last resort for those animals and people that have nowhere else to go. But unfortunately, due to the fact that we are NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDED AT ALL, we also have limited space, limited staff, and limited funds - the same as other rescue organizations. We are legally not allowed to turn any animal away. We are therefore not allowed to be “full”, or “overwhelmed”, or “allowed to say no”.
Not one single person at the SPCA is a person that enjoys putting an animal to sleep. I know that with every single animal that we euthanize, we take that burden onto our own shoulders. I have sat with countless numbers of animals - ranging from 1 day old to 18 years old, holding them in my arms as I wait for their last breath, making sure that they know that they are loved, and that we are so sorry that there is no place on this earth for them. This is not an occurrence that happens rarely - this is something that happens every day. Multiple times a day.
It does not get easier. No matter what anybody says - taking any animals’ life because you know that they are unwanted and you have no more space NEVER gets easier.
I have tried to numb these feelings out for a long time, while knowing logically that what I am doing is for the best, and that it is preventing these sad, scared little creatures from sitting in our kennels for longer than necessary, while watching numbers of people walk past them and choose their other little friend next door to take home with them, and not them. They don’t understand. But they also don’t understand why they are there in the first place, and not on the laps of their owners like they were the night before.
I have watched these animals suffer. I have watched them go through “kennel stress”. I have watched them come from every day being excited to see you - wagging their tails at the gate and barking for your attention - to giving up and not coming out from behind their wall. I have had to say goodbye to animals that have been sitting in our kennels for “too long” knowing it is unfair to those animals that we haven’t given a chance to yet, just because we don’t have the space. I have cried while I inject the euthanaze into their bloodstream and tell them that heaven is going to be a better place. I have apologized to them over and over for the way that humanity has failed them, and that I could not save them.
But as much as the sad things often overwhelm me, I have also watched petrified animals that were abused, neglected and malnourished, while having irreversible wounds and often irreversible trauma, learn how to trust again. It starts with a small tail wag when they hear your voice calling out for them, to them emerging from behind their wall of safety and coming to the gate and asking for a scratch on the head. For some it takes days, for some it takes weeks. I have cried with happiness when these little ones go home with their new family - the people that were able to see them for who they are, and are able to recognize their individuality and uniqueness.
Because I have now left, I am overwhelmed with a guilt of not being able to save the ones that are left behind. I am so grateful for the ones that I have been able to rehome, and the ones who I know that are safe and now loved the way they should be, but as many as I tried my best with - it will never be enough.
I’m not very good with expressing my feelings and I can’t put into words the mixed feeling that I got while working at the SPCA. The overwhelming sadness and anger, followed by happy wagging tails in their new car on their way home. It’s a feeling that nobody will ever be able to put into words.
This is why I stayed for so long - because the feeling of watching the little animal that once bit you and pooped and peed itself in the corner of the cage because it was so frightened of the world, now transformed into a little animal that runs up to you to lick you in the face, is a very addictive feeling.
As I leave the SPCA, I am asking for three things from you:
Open your eyes to the reality of the situation that we are facing in South Africa in the moment. We are nowhere near being anywhere close to a first world country in terms of animal welfare. Animal breeding is an unnecessary part of our society (a harsh reality for some of you). At The Wellington branch of the SPCA alone, we rehome on average about 35 animals a month, and euthanize 300 animals a month. It’s a tragic statistic, but it’s the truth.
Before you go and buy a puppy from a breeder, please, PLEASE do some research and make sure that there are no animal shelters around you that have what you are looking for. You may be surprised by the little face that catches your attention. I never pictured myself owning the 3 mix-breed street dogs that I do, but I now know that I would never want it any other way.
Please, please consider supporting your local animal welfare. Most animal welfare organisations do not have the money to hire the staff that they need to. They are severely understaffed and underpaid. I am asking that if anybody is ever questioning how they could spend their time - go and volunteer. There are so many areas that your time and expertise would be appreciated in.
I am asking you to check their posts and share the HELL out of that picture. A lot of people are unaware of how beautiful the animals are that we have and never consider going to have a look there when searching for their next best friend. You do not need to physically adopt every single animal that you see shared on social media. Simply share the post. Exposure is everything. Give that life the time of day that it deserves. Every share or post of an animal is an extra opportunity for that little soul to be saved.
Finally, I would like to thank everybody that made my time at the SPCA so unforgettable. I have the utmost respect for the people who work tirelessly for these organisations and they truly deserve your support.
Love Always,
Liz x
