The Future of Companion Animal Welfare

The uncertainty that pervades the Domestic Animal Welfare sector in South Africa, and the inability for the current resource base to cope with the existing challenges, imply a necessity for a change in course.

1. The Status Quo

The Companion Animal scenario is faced with a number of challenges:

1. The Control Syndrome: There are organisations and individuals who seek to control others by influencing legislation by virtue of the ‘authority’ granted them by an ignorant Government and gullible public, and this often results in legislation that simply cannot work or is unconstitutional. They also seek to control other organisations and do their level best to discredit any shelter or organisation that has a different approach. In addition, they use the media to present to the public a distorted view of the activities of these organisations while presenting a flattering perspective of their own.

2. The Legal Issue: The Animals Protection Act is unconstitutional in that it grants ‘Societies’ rights that are prejudicial to the rights of individuals and organisations, who have no recourse in the law – the ‘Society’ is granted absolute rights without appeal. It is also too vague and lenient in respect of prerequisites of animal companion care. Similarly, there is other legislation, most notably the regional Dog and Cat by-laws, that is prejudicial and exacerbates rather than solves the current problems.

3. The Isolation Problem: Organisations operate for the most part in isolation, although there is some informal collaboration, much of it ‘under the radar’ of the policies of their respective organisations by people who see the animals’ needs as more important than any organisations’ ‘turf’.

4. The Resource Crisis: Animal Welfare organisations are hopelessly under-resourced, some financially, others in respect of skills and personnel. There are not enough Inspectors, not enough Shelters, not enough foster parents, and most importantly not enough legal people to challenge the outdated legislation.

5. The Political Predicament: The current Government, and arguably the Opposition, has little interest in Animal Welfare and has not prioritised any initiatives that will improve the state of companion animals in SA. Government has not seen fit to introduce legislation that would restrict breeding of animals, thereby preventing the inputs into the overpopulation of domestic animals from being reduced or managed effectively.

6. Missing Vision and Strategy: There is either no strategy in place for dealing with any of the above or organisations are keeping their strategy to themselves. Either way, no strategy is evident.

7. The Judgement Dilemma: The Domestic Animal Welfare community seems more adept at criticising and condemning others than assisting and mentoring them and thereby building capacity.

In short, the Domestic Animal Welfare sector is in crisis. With no Vision in place, no Strategy to deliver that Vision, and insufficient resources to carry out mandates except as separate entities whose individual actions have not historically changed very much and are unlikely to do so in the future, the statistical reality that conservatively 9 out of every ten companions animals that come into being will die, as strays or at the end of a needle in a shelter, will not change. Change is necessary if not crucial if we are to have any success at bringing about a better future for companion animals in SA.

2. The Future Desired Reality

In a decade’s time, how could the Companion Animal landscape look? What should the characteristics be of a working Companion Animals Welfare framework? I compiled my own wishlist:

1. There is a Companion Animals Protection Act in place, and it is aligned with the understanding that non-human animals are sentient beings, deserving of moral consideration.

2. There is an Animal Protection Police Force, and they are not affiliated to any organisation, but in the spirit of separation of State and Judiciary, are independent of any welfare organisation or Government Institution.

3. All Animal Welfare Organisations are regulated in respect of policies and procedures governing their activities, transparency with regard to their financial recording and reporting as well as and reporting in respect of numbers of animals rescued, relinquished, sterilised, sheltered, homed and euthanized, not only so that the big picture can be better understood, but to gauge the effectiveness of various operational practices. In this respect, they are accountable to a Government body who monitor and ensure compliance through Inspectors, who themselves are not employed by or in any way associated with any welfare organisation.

4. All Animal Welfare organisations collaborate on issues of strategic importance to the future and well-being of Companion Animals in South Africa, both regionally and nationally. No organisation attempts to dominate or control others – the Animal Welfare sector is democratic and inclusive rather than power-oriented and exclusive.

5. All Animal Welfare Organisations coordinate their efforts operationally, sharing resources and information in order to best look after the interests of Companion animals.

3. Summary

There are those, if one is to interpret their actions correctly, who wish to see the status quo remain. Others would like to see the APA relaxed so that animals can be ‘used’ more by humans. My own view is that both these approaches will lead to consequences that will not benefit either animals or humans.

Whatever the next steps, they should be taken in the direction of the Future Desired Reality suggested above. To regard the status quo as acceptable is complacency; to allow the Control Junkies to dominate the future is abdication.

I remember a Professor once saying to me that he would much rather have a first-class motivation coupled with a second-class intellect than a first-class intellect coupled with a second-class motivation. When some people see a shelter that is making mistakes, they see ‘failure’ and use a whole range of labels to typecast the efforts of people who either do not have the resources or the knowledge to do a better job, and they are quick to condemn. I see a willingness in such people to place the animals’s interests before their own, the first-class motivation I spoke of, and I see potential in that. Such people are scarce, and I see no wisdom or foresight in attempting to close them down. I would much rather educate their ignorance and find them resources, since in doing so I am building capacity. It’s not as if we have more than enough people working in welfare. It is both narrow-minded and foolish to throw away a scarce resource on the basis of non-compliance to what is in any case an imperfect standard, since no organisation or individual is perfect – not even one…

When the purported ‘gods’ of animal welfare start behaving like leaders and not despots, I might follow them. When they come to the table as partners I will join them. Until then, I prefer to think for myself and side with the rebellion…

There are 15 organisations in the Custodians Alliance, with another 3 applications from prospective member organisations pending. We are busy collaborating in order to agree a Constitution in which the ethos, objectives and structure of the Alliance, as well as the principles, policies and procedures by which it will be governed, are defined. Expect an announcement soon.

If you don’t know where you’re going, you could end up anywhere, and most likely where you don’t want to be. We have Objectives, a Strategy, and a set of Initiatives that we believe will meet with success. Watch this space.

Derek (aka ‘Custodian’)