The SPCA reveals they received an anonymous complaint regarding the farm and when inspecting it, discovered the 90 cramped up chickens at the back of a garage at the farm, with no indication that they had been fed or given water of late. SPCA inspector, Duán Matthee says the chickens had blood marks, another indicator that they were pecking on one another due to the lack of food.  

The SPCA was granted a warrant by the local court to have the chickens forcibly removed and placed in their care. Matthee says the chickens are so malnourished at this stage, they barely have any meat on them.

This comes more than a month since the same SPCA branch tag teamed with the Free State Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), to rescue of over 40 animals from the Bloemfontein Zoo earlier this month. 

The OFM News team previously spoke to Chief Director for Environmental Management at Destea, Nozi Nkoe, who said at the time, the department is happy with the relocation of all the animals aside from the buffalos and are satisfied with their progress. Nkoe stressed the department is continuing to provide ample support to the animal sanctuaries that are housing the rescues and will closely monitor their development over time.

In a statement the SPCA has indicated that all animals aside from the Buffalos have been accommodated by organisations  like the Love, Lions, Alive Project, Four Paws South Africa’s Lionsrock Sanctuary and Humane Society International Africa amongst many others. 

The SPCA is requesting donations to care for the chickens, for more details visit: http://www.bloemfonteinspca.co.za/

OFM News