As a community we are often faced with stray animals or wildlife that might need our help. When seeing a stray animal (cat or dog), it is always most important to assess them from a distance and make sure that it is safe to approach them. Are they injured? Are they wearing a collar with possible contact details? When you have picked the animal up, they can be brought to the Kowie Veterinary Clinic to be checked for a microchip. We can also check our system to see if we might find the owner. If not, the stray will need to be taken to the SPCA to be kenneled until the owner can be found.
When you spot wildlife (birds or antelope), it is of utmost importance to assess if the animal is truly in need of human intervention. If the animal is visibly injured & in distress, calmly approach it in a safe manner, load it into your vehicle and bring it to the Kowie Veterinary Clinic as soon as possible for medical help.
Certain adult antelope & bird species hide their young in a safe spot while they go look for food. If you spot a youngster or baby of any kind, it is best to leave them where they are. Their mother will find them in that same spot again. Invading that space or moving that baby can be detrimental to the baby. When you find a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest, try to place it back into the nest or leave it close by for the mother to find it again.
If you are sure the animal is injured and in need of medical attention, it can be brought to the clinic for injury assessment and intervention. If you are worried about a baby being abandoned, rather keep an eye on it from a distance. If after several hours the mother has not returned and the youngster is starting to wander and look for the mom, calmly approach it and bring it to the clinic. If no injuries are noted, the youngster will be transported to an accredited rehabilitation facility to ensure survival and integration back into the wild.
It is our duty to protect and help animals in need, but also to not interfere with the normal behaviour of wild animals.
