Latest news with #SPCA
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Here is the COLDEST town in South Africa NOW
Here is the COLDEST town in South Africa NOW South Africans are bundling up as a powerful cold front grips much of the country — but nowhere felt it more than Biesiesvlei, a small town near Smithfield in the Free State, where the temperature plummeted to a staggering –10.1°C early this morning. The icy reading was captured at 06:16 and now tops the list of the coldest spots in South Africa this week. From high-altitude towns to unexpected frost zones, the winter chill has truly arrived. According to Vox Weather, cold air will continue to dominate the country, with widespread frost expected across the interior in the coming days. Inland towns, especially in the Free State, Northern and Eastern Cape, are set to face bitter morning lows this week. Disruptive rain is expected over parts of the City of Cape Town, potentially causing localised flooding in susceptible areas and roads. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution and plan for delays. Meanwhile, the SPCA urges all pet and livestock owners to act quickly: Ensure animals have dry, warm, and secure shelter Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure Reinforce kennels, stables, and shelters against strong winds Use extra blankets or straws for warmth Provide unfrozen water and sufficient food 'They depend on us — let's keep our animals safe and warm.' Also read: Top five hijacked vehicles in Pretoria – Are you driving one? Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Kitten reportedly put in container now adopted, probe underway
A kitten that was allegedly stuffed into a plastic container and rolled around in Tuas has been adopted, the National Parks Board (NParks) said. In an updated statement yesterday, the board said it is 'investigating the incident thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken if any wrongdoing is established'. 'We have visited the premises and are in contact with the relevant persons. We were informed that the cat has since been adopted, and we will be checking on its well-being,' said NParks' group director for enforcement and investigation Jessica Kwok in a statement. 'We thank SPCA Singapore for alerting us to this case.' The incident took place in a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on the night of March 26, between 9.45pm and 10.30pm, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a June 23 Facebook post on the incident. An informant, a colleague of the suspected abuser, told SPCA that the kitten had been placed inside a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly. SPCA's inspectors conducted an unannounced inspection on April 1, during which they were told that the cat had since been released as it was a community animal, the organisation added in the Facebook post. SPCA was also told that the worker involved was given a stern warning. However, a manager there declined to show any CCTV footage or facilitate further investigation, said SPCA, prompting it to refer the matter to the Animal and Veterinary Service – a cluster within NParks. In a statement on Thursday, NParks said it had been alerted to the incident and was looking into the matter. According to SPCA's statistics, 220 of 453 reported animal abuse cases in 2024 involved cats, making them the most frequently abused animal species in Singapore. The types of abuse include physical harm, inhumane trapping, hit-and-run incidents, intentional injury or killing, the use of aversive training methods and abandonment. — The Straits Times/ANN
CTV News
18 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Authorities investigating after large boa constrictor captured in B.C. park
The conservation service says its officers receive special training in the proper handling of a variety of exotic animals that fall under the Controlled Alien Species regulations. (Handout) Conservation officers in British Columbia are investigating after a large boa constrictor was located and captured in a provincial park on Vancouver Island. A statement from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the agency 'safely captured' the five-foot snake that was loose in Miracle Beach Provincial Park on Thursday. The agency says it co-ordinated its response with provincial parks staff to close hiking trails and stop visitors from entering the Black Creek-area park while officers searched for the exotic and potentially dangerous reptile. The snake was found and captured at approximately 1 p.m., and was taken to the Comox Valley SPCA after consulting with a provincial wildlife veterinarian, the conservation office said. 'Due to its length, the boa constrictor was determined to be a restricted reptile under the Controlled Alien Species regulation, which means that while a permit is not required to own it, they cannot be released under any circumstances,' the statement said. The office says it is investigating the circumstances of the snake's release, which 'may result in enforcement action' against the animal's owner. 'It is not the first time the COS has seized exotic animals,' the agency added. 'Over the last 10-plus years, officers have captured lions, alligators and monkeys.' The conservation office said the incident is not believed to be related to an incident earlier this month, in which a boa constrictor was reported missing at a beach near Tofino. That snake, estimated at six feet in length, later turned up in its owner's kayak. The conservation service says its officers receive special training in the proper handling of a variety of exotic animals that fall under the Controlled Alien Species regulations. Such species are not native to B.C. and are therefore not considered wildlife.
New Paper
a day ago
- New Paper
Kitten allegedly rolled in container at Tuas adopted, NParks investigating
A kitten that was allegedly stuffed into a plastic container and rolled around in Tuas has been adopted, the National Parks Board (NParks) said on June 27. In an updated statement, the board said it is "investigating the incident thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken if any wrongdoing is established". "We have visited the premises and are in contact with the relevant persons. We were informed that the cat has since been adopted, and we will be checking on its well-being," said NParks' group director for enforcement and investigation Jessica Kwok in a statement. "We thank SPCA Singapore for alerting us to this case." The incident The incident took place in a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on the night of March 26, between 9.45pm and 10.30pm, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a June 23 Facebook post on the incident. An informant, a colleague of the suspected abuser, told the SPCA that the kitten had been placed inside a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly. SPCA's inspectors conducted an unannounced inspection on April 1, during which they were told that the cat had since been released as it was a community animal, the organisation added in the Facebook post. SPCA was also told that the worker involved was given a stern warning. However, a manager there declined to show any CCTV footage or facilitate further investigation, said SPCA, prompting it to refer the matter to the Animal and Veterinary Service - a cluster within NParks. In a statement on June 26, NParks said it had been alerted to the incident and is looking into the matter. Cat abuses According to SPCA's statistics, 220 of 453 reported animal abuse cases in 2024 involved cats, making them the most frequently abused animal species in Singapore. The types of abuse include physical harm, inhumane trapping, hit-and-run incidents, intentional injury or killing, the use of aversive training methods, and abandonment. Under Singapore's Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders found guilty of animal cruelty can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both. Repeat offenders may be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $30,000, or both.
News24
a day ago
- Climate
- News24
Cape Town storm: About 30 animals in distress across the city rescued amid heavy downpours
Several animals have been rescued amidst heavy rain in parts of Cape Town. Dogs, cats, rabbits and cattle are among the animals rescued since Wednesday. The Animal Welfare Society said six puppies died during the inclement weather. Dogs, cats, rabbits and cattle were among about 30 distressed animals the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Animal Welfare Society (AWS) rescued amid heavy downpours on the Cape Flats. And the SPCA anticipates more rescues as the cold, wet weather persists over the weekend. AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins said teams managed to rescue several dogs, including puppies, and rabbits from drowning and dying from hypothermia on Thursday evening. 'We focused on a number of low-lying informal settlements on the Cape Flats with a focus on Pine Acre Farm informal settlement, that is behind the Ottery cemetery, and Kampies opposite the Philippi SAPS station. 'Things were quite hectic and a lot of the animals were in serious need of shelter and food and the necessary help to nurse them to good health in this cold weather,' he said. LIVE | Cape Town braces for more rain amid additional weather warning According to Perrins, the Pine Acre Farm community comprises around 80 corrugated iron shacks. The area was flooded when AWS arrived. Perrins said: We also discovered a litter of seven tiny puppies. Six, unfortunately, either drowned or succumbed to the elements of the cold weather. We, however, managed to resuscitate and save one of the litter. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the organisation would continue to liaise with the City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre to ensure that the SPCA could respond to any crises as efficiently as possible. 'We have moved farm animals to higher ground and actively sought out animals exposed to the elements and those living on chains, who will have no chance of escape should flooding escalate. 'We're also actively monitoring canals close to informal farming areas,' Abraham added. She said teams would remain on high alert as wet weather conditions persist. 'If flooding escalates, wildlife may also be displaced, we generally see porcupines flooded from their storm water drain homes or snakes flooded from their dens and baby birds blown from their nests, so we're keeping an eye out for that as well,' she added. Meanwhile, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha said the torrential rains had left parts of the area submerged, with animals fending for themselves. 'Homes are knee-deep in floodwater, and countless pets have been left stranded, shivering, and vulnerable to the elements,' said spokesperson Marcelle du Plessis. She said the organisation's field team had been working around the clock, wading through flooded streets to find and help animals in distress. 'We've found dogs chained in the rain, cats soaked and hiding under rubble, and families doing their best to protect their beloved pets with the little they have,' she added. The clinic is appealing to the public for emergency donations to fund the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. In addition to rescuing animals, the team is distributing food parcels, blankets, and kennels to pet owners in need. 'We will continue patrolling during the storm and throughout the winter. We will not let any pet be forgotten,' Du Plessis added.
