JB
Jade B

1 reviews | Active since Jan 2023

17 Jan 2023, 12:51

Revolting attitude from Karina Pillay (Kennel Supervisor) at SPCA Durban

I had to surrender a mommy cat and her 4 kittens to the SPCA on the 10th of January 2023. She must have had the kittens a week before we found them, so they were very young. Both kittens and mom were starved, causing her milk to dry up. We took both kittens and mom in and fed them to health. I messaged every single adoption agency i could find, all saying they were full or could not help. I only had a few days left until i needed to return to Pretoria for University, so my options were very limited. I unfortunately resorted to giving them up to the SPCA. I was absolutely heart broken but i didn't know what else to do. A week or two later i contacted the SPCA for peace of mind on whether the cats were okay and if they were going to find them homes. I recieved a call the next day from the SPCA where i got greeted with a very rude women by the name of Karina Pillay. She first asked me why i was enquiring about the cats and imp**** that if i wasn't interested in adopting the cats, then why was i calling. I told her the situation and how the cats got to the SPCA, she then told me to get my narrative straight, implying the story i told her was not true. She then told me that no cats were brought in on that date and i must be confused. She then asked me why i was asking about the euthanasia protocol when it comes to unwanted pets, almost irritated that i was asking ethical questions. She then very quickly ran through their protocol and told me that she cannot help me furthur or give me any more information on the cats as its not allowed. Out of my love for animals and fear of the SPCA, i contacted them to try and get some peace of mind, yet i can tell you confidently that she has done the complete opposite. I really had an open mind about the SPCA and the terrible things I've heard about it, but when someone who cares about animals is shut down like that from an association that is so called "so open and honest about their love for animals" and are "always willing to help", it is very disappointing. To know that people like Karina are appointed to represent such associations is concerning and the SPCA really should look into their employees and their motives and attitudes towards their work. I have been left feeling worse than i did before i contacted them. In the future i will do everything in my power to home animals myself then resort to the SPCA.

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Replies (3)
SPCA
SPCA's reply17 Jan 2023, 13:43
Official
We at the National Council of SPCAs will forward your complaint to the Durban & Coast SPCA asking for a response. Their response shall be posted within 7 days. 
 
Kind regards 
Society Liaison Unit 
National Council of SPCAs 
 
SPCA
SPCA's reply17 Jan 2023, 16:06
Official
Response below from Durban & Coast SPCA:

Ms. Bailey in your email to our kennels department on 16/01/23 you stated that you handed the cats over to our SPCA on 10th January.  Karina Pillay searched our admissions records accordingly. She could find no matching records. 
During the subsequent telephone call from Ms. Pillay, you stated that our Field Officer Nathi had collected the cats without filling in any forms.  
Ms. Pillay was alarmed as this is against our strict protocols.  You then stated that you had in fact not surrendered the cats to the SPCA, but to Aloe Vet in Ballito who had contacted Nathi to collect from them.  These are the details reflected on the admission forms and further, the cats were admitted on 9th and not 10th January - hence the confusion.  
Ms. Pillay explained that we do not divulge further information about strays handed over to the SPCA.  This is correct protocol.  We take in literally thousands of stray animals every month and only communicate further if it is the owner calling.   
JB
Jade B's update17 Jan 2023, 18:14
Reviewer Update
I stated that I, MYSELF had not filled out any forms, as this was true. The Aloe Vet suggested we hand the cats over to Nathi as he was already in the area, and if we were unable to catch him, my grandfather knows Nathi and contacts him about strays he picks up all the time. Thus we left them at the vet as we were told. Ms. Pillay asked me if I had filled out forms, to which I rep**** no, which in my defense is completely true. Although in your reply the events that took place sound very professional and I can tell you they were not. It was the manner through which your employee handled the situation, yes I understand the pressure and stress you guys must endure but that is no way to speak to another person, she was undermining and condescending. I and my family have taken in many strays into our home and essentially all I wanted to know was if the cats had even arrived at the SPCA and if they were fine, I really wasn't asking for much. But thank you for the help you did provide.