The Cape of Good Hope SPCA have had to issue an apology to a Hout Bay resident, after it was found that they completely botched the standard procedures they are supposed to undertake when an animal is brought in.

The cat’s owner, Elise de Beer, is understandably furious and heartbroken after her cat Sonix was put down by the organisation, without them scanning it for a microchip.

Here’s CapeTalk:

De Beer explains that Sonix went missing on Friday, and by Sunday search efforts revealed that the cat had been handed over to the SPCA.

Apparently, a neighbouring resident in the Hout Bay area had taken Sonix to the SPCA after complaining that the cat had been trespassing the premises and harassing their own cats.

The cat was taken to the SPCA in Grassy Park on Friday and was allegedly not scanned for a microchip because he was deemed feral.

According to De Beer, Sonix was killed while inside his cage and SPCA officials did not return the cat’s body at the weekend.

That’s right, they wouldn’t even give her Sonix’s dead body when they realised their error.

SPCA’s spokesperson Belinda Abraham said that the two employees responsible had been suspended for their negligence, as animals are supposed to be kept in custody for 10 days before any euthanasia can take place.

Sonix’s remains will eventually be returned to the de Beer family, but that’s not going to help ease their pain.

The emotional Facebook post that Elise wrote on Monday:

Remember to bear in mind the amount of good work the organisation does for animals around Cape Town, but most of us know the pain that comes with saying goodbye to a family pet, so Elise’s story is one we can all sympathise with.

[source:capetalk]