I know that I also try to cut costs wherever I can in this day and age, however if you stop to think about their side for a while you might get over your anger and at least understand where they are coming from.

The SPCA is not provided with veterinary services for free, they have to hire a vet - a vet who is prepared to work for less money than they would get in private practice, which you can imagine leaves them without too many people to choose from. In fact I speak under correction but the last time I checked they did not have a full time vet and are having to pay a private practice vet to provide the services that they require, including the sterilization of animals. This means that whoever is being provided with sterilization at a discount is in fact having that service subsidized for them by the SPCA, leading me to understand why they would put in place an income threshold for subsidized sterilizations.

The SPCA receives limited funding and has to utilize that to the best of their ability - therefore it makes sense that they would prefer to subsidize the sterilization of dogs belonging to the poorer segment of society. This is not necessarily only to provide relief for the poor person but for the hundreds of unwanted dogs that originate from the 'poorer' parts of town. It is sad to say but the higher a person's level of education the more likely they are to ensure that their dog does not breed indiscriminately.

As much as we would all I am sure love for the SPCA to be well enough funded to be able to provide free veterinary services to each and every member of society, no matter their income, this is simply not the case and at the risk of sounding like I am attacking you personally (which is in no way my intention) your 'solution' to the problem would only exacerbate the existing problem.

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by Deacon

Your right but it is still discriminating against people with better income. I can now easily sent my father in law who is a pensioner and recieves N$ 300 per month from government with my dog. I mean they cannot prove it is not his. So then stop the service and just say to every one to go to the vet. People earning less than N$ 3000 per month CANNOT afford to keep a pet. Have you seen the price of pet food. Even the "normal" brands are N$ 80 to N$ 100 per bag. That is more than these low income people pay for maize meal. The SPCA should then use these vets for their own dogs and those stray ones around town. They let you feel like a poor person when you phone and the say ....What is your income!!!!

Bye the way my next topic will be against the normal vets as they charge near to a N$ 1000 bucks to sterilize a female dog!!!!!!!

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by FlyMaster

Flymaster , I am with you on this one , I have a dog from the SPCA but I dont know why , all the female dogs comming from the SPCA have a leaking bladder after they were sterilized , my dog and two other dogs I know . unfortunately for me my dogs bladder leaks badly .

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by another

I would like to know why exactly are you so upset? You keep mentioning that you have an income of over N$ 3000.00 per month and the cost of this and the cost of that. Surely you knew that there would be costs involved the day you decided to keep a pet?? If you can't afford it, don't get one!! If that certain someone didn't tell you that you could have the procedure done at the SPCA, what would you have done?? The SPCA already has their hands full with people who keep pets but are unable to even feed their families. Do not make a mistake. These people are not the only ones who ensure sleepless nights for the people of the SPCA. Just over the weekend a lady was seen - driving a brand new Caravelle Combi (and we all know those don't come cheap) on the Western Bypass, pulling over and simply throwing out 4 medium sized dogs. How heartless is that?? And who do we call?? The SPCA!! They drive out on their own costs and look for these dogs and give them a home. There are forever fund raisers for this and that but how many times do you actually see people doing something for the SPCA? You should feel ashamed of yourself for trying to take from those who are in need themselves!!!

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by Droopy

The point is that they go around and say that you can do the procedure by them and when one want to then there is this excuse of cost. Practise what you preach. Do not advertise and then come up with ultimatums. And droopy .... I cannot think that you just go out and buy whatever you like without first finding out if there isn't MAYBE a cheaper one around. This goes from house hunting to pet food. And yes I knew the cost involved in having pets. I have birds, fish and 3 dogs and 5 puppies. So grow a pair and stop accusing me of things where I also just have a certain budget to adhere to. But maybe you are so fortunate to just go out and buy whatever you like. Maybe you can provide me with some cash for the VET!!!!????

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by FlyMaster

You are 100 % correct. I do not just go out and buy what I need without doing some market research first. BUT.... If a service provider gives me a grounded reason, I accept it. I don't go about bad-mouting the institution. Once again you go on and on about all the pets you have. You simply don't think twice to add to your farm. Like I said. If you can't afford to keep them, then just don't get them!!! If you have a certain budget to keep to as you say, you should know better than to try and run a pet farm! Didn't you properly read what the Deacon said? The SPCA is already struggling to keep head above water and now YOU want them to subsidize a service to YOU because YOU just can't control youself??? If you cannot afford to have your dog sterilized then take it to the SPCA to find it a new home. Go on!! Show me you have a pair!!!

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by Droopy

Hi,

Firstly, Another, the reason for the leaking bladder is that if you take too long to have your female "fixed" then they can develope problems, such as cancer and a leaking bladder. I am not sure but there is a fancy word for it. You do get tablets that help with it. It is costly but worth it. The same goes for males, they also develope problems, the biggest is prostate cancer.
This is a good example of another reason why you should sterilize your dogs, you save them a great deal of pain and you a great deal of money. So Flymaster, instead of thinking of that small cost you have to pay the vet to get your (too many) dogs sterlized, because if you don't, they will cost you thousands of dollars when they develope other diseases. You got the animals, so don't moan about the costs! The dog food went up about 2 months ago, I did not write to the whole of Namibia complaining about this, I groaned under my breath but remembered my two loving dogs at home, and I bought the food! And believe me, they eat us out the house! If your child or relative was sick, or need an operation to avoid cancer, would you first stop to moan about the hospital costs or would you send that person immediately? You must treat your animals as you would your closest family, otherwise you don't deserve to have pets that love you unconditionally!!!

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by Dune-Bug

...go hug a tree or something. Flymaster, I am with you on this one!

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by powder

Dear powder - judging from your profile picture and username we can all see why you are with flymaster. You are most likely also one with a whole petting zoo at what you call home... We (meaning the ones who actually care for our pets and will do anything to keep them healthy and happy as like with any other member of our households) can do just fine without hypocrites like you. I can just see how you are the one in church taking from the offerings instead of giving. (That is offcourse should you loose your way and by mistake end up in church)

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by Droopy

what you are saying, although I also believe that you have joined womf simply to attack other users and try to force your own opinion on them. I see no sense in justifying anything to you since it will serve no purpose except to envoke yet another ramble from your side, however I strongly urge you to think about what Flymaster is trying to get across. This is not about him and his pets, as far as I can tell he takes care of them but was simply looking for a more cost effective way to have one of them "fixed" and is upset since he was asked how much he makes etc and then told to go elsewhere. I agree with him in that sense and in that sense alone.

Posted 30 Jun 2009 by powder