1 reviews | Active since Feb 2014
Very Disappointed with the Service and Attitude
I’m extremely disappointed with my experience at SPCA Roodepoort. I drove an hour from my home to visit and hopefully adopt a puppy, but the staff were rude and unfriendly throughout the process. No one informed me beforehand that I needed to bring my own dog for an introduction, which was very frustrating after such a long trip.
When I asked about the puppy being spayed before six months, I was told, “that’s the rule,” with no explanation or concern shown for the potential health implications. I fully understand that policies exist for a reason, but it was disappointing to see no willingness to even discuss the welfare of the animal or the reasoning behind the rule. It felt like the dog’s health and wellbeing were not a priority.
The entire experience made me feel like I was an inconvenience rather than someone trying to offer a dog a loving home. The staff seemed uninterested and unhelpful, almost as if they were doing me a favor by being there. This experience has completely put me off adopting from this branch, which is truly sad given my genuine desire to give a rescue dog a good home.
I hope they take this feedback seriously and work on improving their communication, attitude, and approach toward potential adopters — and most importantly, show more care and compassion for the animals they are meant to protect.
When bookings are made to meet one of our dogs the person is informed that any existing dogs must accompany the owner to meet the potential new dog. For you to have known about the Maltese puppies you would have visited our Facebook adoption album, on the page it states, “a compatibility test if you have other dogs”. The one lady who accompanied you agreed that a meet and greet with your dog makes good sense. A meeting with your dog would have been done in a quieter area as you said he was a nerves dog. When you came into the SPCA the reception staff again informed you that your dog must come in to meet the puppy, you were also informed that no pet leaves the SPCA without being sterilised. You had no questions regarding the sterilisation. FYI the positives to early sterilisation out weight the negatives. Early sterilisation offers numerous health, behavioural benefits, especially for smaller breeds. The primary pros include reducing the risk of serious medical conditions and undesirable hormone-driven behaviours. Reduces the risk of mammary, uterine and ovarian cancer, prevents uterine infections, the risk of pyometra, increases life expectancy. Puppies tend to recover more quickly from the surgery. Reduces the desire of roaming, decreases aggression, calmer disposition. Early sterilisation is a crucial tool to prevent unplanned litters. Our adoption policy is in place to ensure the SPCA does not have to rescue our pets from adoptees, staff are overly protective of our pets. Many thanks.
When bookings are made to meet one of our dogs the person is informed that any existing dogs must accompany the owner to meet the potential new dog. For you to have known about the Maltese puppies you would have visited our Facebook adoption album, on the page it states, “a compatibility test if you have other dogs”. The one lady who accompanied you agreed that a meet and greet with your dog makes good sense. A meeting with your dog would have been done in a quieter area as you said he was a nerves dog. When you came into the SPCA the reception staff again informed you that your dog must come in to meet the puppy, you were also informed that no pet leaves the SPCA without being sterilised. You had no questions regarding the sterilisation. FYI the positives to early sterilisation out weight the negatives. Early sterilisation offers numerous health, behavioural benefits, especially for smaller breeds. The primary pros include reducing the risk of serious medical conditions and undesirable hormone-driven behaviours. Reduces the risk of mammary, uterine and ovarian cancer, prevents uterine infections, the risk of pyometra, increases life expectancy. Puppies tend to recover more quickly from the surgery. Reduces the desire of roaming, decreases aggression, calmer disposition. Early sterilisation is a crucial tool to prevent unplanned litters. Our adoption policy is in place to ensure the SPCA does not have to rescue our pets from adoptees, staff are overly protective of our pets. Many thanks.