Central SA
International Clear the Shelters Month: Bloemfontein residents urged to adopt pets─── ZENANDE MPAME 06:00 Tue, 19 Aug 2025
August marks International Clear the Shelters Month, a nationwide initiative to find loving homes for animals and raising awareness about the importance of pet adoption.
Aspiring pet owners are encouraged to adopt pets to reduce the number of homeless animals in shelters, volunteer their time to the SPCA or other animal welfare organizations, donate supplies, and raise awareness. In Bloemfontein, the SPCA plays a vital role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need, ensuring they receive a second chance at life.
“Every adoption makes room for another animal in need,” said Bloemfontein SPCA inspector Lucky Oliphant. “When you adopt from the SPCA, you’re not just saving one life, you’re making space for us to rescue another animal from the streets.”
Residents can support the initiative in several ways, with adoption being the most direct form of impact. By adopting, individuals provide abandoned and rescued animals with safe, caring homes where they can thrive.
Beyond adoption, the society encourages community members to volunteer their time, activities such as walking dogs, playing with them, brushing their coats, and helping them socialise, reduce stress, and improve the overall well-being of shelter animals, he said.
Bloemfontein residents can help by:
- adopting, and not shopping. Community members can visit our SPCA facility to meet animals looking for their forever homes;
- sharing Facebook posts. Every animal we share that goes up for adoption can be shared on the SPCAs Facebook communities;
- volunteering your time. Residents can help with daily care, walking dogs, socialising cats, or assisting with adoption events;
- donating supplies. The SPCA always needs pet food, blankets, toys, cleaning supplies, and medical equipment; and
- spreading awareness. Residents can share our adoptable animals on social media and encourage others to consider adoption.
In July, the Bloemfontein SPCA recorded 27 adoptions in a single month, their highest number yet.
To sustain and surpass this milestone, the organisation focuses on educating prospective pet owners about breeds, conducting home inspections, and facilitating introductions between adopted pets and existing family animals.
“Socialising with animals before adoption is key to ensuring compatibility and long-term care. So we encourage prospective pet owners to visit the SPCA to meet the pets before adopting,” said Oliphant.
