SPCA
1.8|388 reviews
Responds in 14 hours 39 min
RM
Roxanne M
1 reviews | Active since Member
01 Mar 2026, 18:00
Unfair Handling of Lost Pet – No Compassion or Cooperation
Heartbreaking Experience Trying to Reclaim My Lost Cat.
I am writing this review regarding my experience with the Kloof and Highway SPCA after finding my missing cat, Champ.
Champ went missing, and we immediately began searching our area, putting up posters, and asking around our neighbourhood. We had recently relocated and were still unfami**** with the area. By chance, a family friend took me to the SPCA approximately 30 days later, and that is when I found Champ there.
I was told I needed to complete a lost pet form and provide proof of ownership, which I did. From there, there were continuous back-and-forth emails. Responses often took up to three days at a time, which significantly delayed the process.
Despite providing proof of ownership and proof of continuous communication showing that we were actively trying to reclaim him, I have now been informed that because it was beyond the 7-day holding period, Champ has legally become the property of the SPCA. I am being asked to pay R4,500 to reclaim him. Alternatively, I have been told that the family who found him has reserved him, and legally there is nothing further we can do.
What I am struggling to understand is that I was informed the R4,500 amount is for boarding costs. However, I have also been told that if adopted out, his adoption fee would be R950 — a drastically lower amount. It is extremely difficult to comprehend why the registered owner, who has provided proof and has been actively trying to retrieve her pet, is expected to pay significantly more than someone adopting him.
At no stage did we abandon our cat. We searched, we posted, we asked around, and once we discovered where he was, I immediately followed the required process. This cat is not “just a pet” to us. Champ was found by my husband shortly after he lost his father. He has been part of our healing journey and our family. He is our child. This situation is not just administrative — it is deeply personal and emotionally painful.
For an organisation that stands for animal welfare and claims to want what is best for the animal, he continues to sit in a cage away from his family while this matter is unresolved. We have also been informed that he may be adopted by another family — people who know nothing about his history, his trauma, his personality, or the bond he has with us. His companion, Boots, misses him terribly. Where is the compassion and understanding for reunifying animals with the families who love them? From where I stand, this feels less about welfare and more about finances — and that is incredibly painful to accept.
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Replies (159)SPCA's replyOfficial
02 Mar 2026, 08:21We at the National Council of SPCAs will forward your complaint to the Kloof & Highway SPCA asking for a response. Their response shall be posted within 7 days. Kind regards Society Liaison UnitNational Council of SPCAs
Best regards,
SPCA's reply02 Mar 2026, 08:21
Official
We at the National Council of SPCAs will forward your complaint to the Kloof & Highway SPCA asking for a response. Their response shall be posted within 7 days. Kind regards Society Liaison UnitNational Council of SPCAs
Best regards,
SPCA's replyOfficial
02 Mar 2026, 09:57I refer to your complaint Roxanne, and advise that everyone at our Kloof and Highway SPCA has done everything we can to reunite you and your cat, yet your cat remains in our cattery since 11h40 on 18 January 2026. No lost report was completed with our SPCA, until you found him.The only reason you found your cat is that you had come in to ‘adopt’ another cat for your family. Everyone you spoke to advised you of the process to follow, as your cat was legally the property of the SPCA and available for adoption, as he had not been owner claimed within 7 days of being a stray. You were advised that you could adopt your cat as it was the most affordable option for you, and Champ had been sterilised, vaccinated and microchipped. You did advise that you had spent time working at the Jhb SPCA, and knew the protocols. You insisted that you did not want to ‘adopt’ you own cat, and wanted to ‘owner claim’ your cat, no matter the cost. I received an email from you on 19 February and replied the same evening, several mails were then sent and received but to date you have still not come in to ‘owner claim’ or ‘adopt’ you cat despite what you say below. If this is your cat and loved and missed by your family, why have you not come in to do the paperwork and take your cat home? Thank you, Barbara
Best regards,
SPCA's reply02 Mar 2026, 09:57
Official
I refer to your complaint Roxanne, and advise that everyone at our Kloof and Highway SPCA has done everything we can to reunite you and your cat, yet your cat remains in our cattery since 11h40 on 18 January 2026. No lost report was completed with our SPCA, until you found him.The only reason you found your cat is that you had come in to ‘adopt’ another cat for your family. Everyone you spoke to advised you of the process to follow, as your cat was legally the property of the SPCA and available for adoption, as he had not been owner claimed within 7 days of being a stray. You were advised that you could adopt your cat as it was the most affordable option for you, and Champ had been sterilised, vaccinated and microchipped. You did advise that you had spent time working at the Jhb SPCA, and knew the protocols. You insisted that you did not want to ‘adopt’ you own cat, and wanted to ‘owner claim’ your cat, no matter the cost. I received an email from you on 19 February and replied the same evening, several mails were then sent and received but to date you have still not come in to ‘owner claim’ or ‘adopt’ you cat despite what you say below. If this is your cat and loved and missed by your family, why have you not come in to do the paperwork and take your cat home? Thank you, Barbara
Best regards,
RM
Roxanne M's updateReviewer Update
02 Mar 2026, 15:43Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your response.
Firstly, I need to correct a very serious misrepresentation. I was not at the SPCA to adopt a cat. I accompanied family friends who were looking to adopt. I am almost nine months pregnant and absolutely not in a position to take on another animal. I find it extremely upsetting that it has been stated as fact that I was there to adopt, when this is simply untrue.
Secondly, I never stated that I worked at any SPCA. I said that I have volunteered and helped with animals before. There is a significant difference, and I would appreciate that my words are not misrepresented.
My concern has never been about your protocols. I understand there is a 7-day period. However, I had relocated and was unfami**** with the area. I was actively searching for my cat. Once I located him and provided proof of ownership, I expected to be able to pay the reasonable costs incurred (vaccination, sterilisation, microchipping) and take my cat home.
Instead, I was told that:
He had effectively become property of the SPCA.
He was in the process of being adopted by another family.
I would need to pay R4,500 (which may now be more) to get my own cat back.
I live 30 minutes away from the SPCA. Champ was and is a loved family pet. The implication that we have not come forward because we do not love or miss him is deeply hurtful and unfair.
My position remains the same: I have provided proof of ownership and am willing to pay the standard veterinary costs incurred. I am not willing to “adopt” my own cat under circumstances that disregard the fact that he has an existing home.
Due to the continued misunderstandings, my husband will be coming in personally once he returns from his work trip this week to handle this matter directly.
I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved in a way that prioritises compassion and reunification, rather than technicalities.
Regards,
Roxanne Meyer
Thank you for your response.
Firstly, I need to correct a very serious misrepresentation. I was not at the SPCA to adopt a cat. I accompanied family friends who were looking to adopt. I am almost nine months pregnant and absolutely not in a position to take on another animal. I find it extremely upsetting that it has been stated as fact that I was there to adopt, when this is simply untrue.
Secondly, I never stated that I worked at any SPCA. I said that I have volunteered and helped with animals before. There is a significant difference, and I would appreciate that my words are not misrepresented.
My concern has never been about your protocols. I understand there is a 7-day period. However, I had relocated and was unfami**** with the area. I was actively searching for my cat. Once I located him and provided proof of ownership, I expected to be able to pay the reasonable costs incurred (vaccination, sterilisation, microchipping) and take my cat home.
Instead, I was told that:
He had effectively become property of the SPCA.
He was in the process of being adopted by another family.
I would need to pay R4,500 (which may now be more) to get my own cat back.
I live 30 minutes away from the SPCA. Champ was and is a loved family pet. The implication that we have not come forward because we do not love or miss him is deeply hurtful and unfair.
My position remains the same: I have provided proof of ownership and am willing to pay the standard veterinary costs incurred. I am not willing to “adopt” my own cat under circumstances that disregard the fact that he has an existing home.
Due to the continued misunderstandings, my husband will be coming in personally once he returns from his work trip this week to handle this matter directly.
I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved in a way that prioritises compassion and reunification, rather than technicalities.
Regards,
Roxanne Meyer
RM
Roxanne M's update02 Mar 2026, 15:43
Reviewer Update
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your response.
Firstly, I need to correct a very serious misrepresentation. I was not at the SPCA to adopt a cat. I accompanied family friends who were looking to adopt. I am almost nine months pregnant and absolutely not in a position to take on another animal. I find it extremely upsetting that it has been stated as fact that I was there to adopt, when this is simply untrue.
Secondly, I never stated that I worked at any SPCA. I said that I have volunteered and helped with animals before. There is a significant difference, and I would appreciate that my words are not misrepresented.
My concern has never been about your protocols. I understand there is a 7-day period. However, I had relocated and was unfami**** with the area. I was actively searching for my cat. Once I located him and provided proof of ownership, I expected to be able to pay the reasonable costs incurred (vaccination, sterilisation, microchipping) and take my cat home.
Instead, I was told that:
He had effectively become property of the SPCA.
He was in the process of being adopted by another family.
I would need to pay R4,500 (which may now be more) to get my own cat back.
I live 30 minutes away from the SPCA. Champ was and is a loved family pet. The implication that we have not come forward because we do not love or miss him is deeply hurtful and unfair.
My position remains the same: I have provided proof of ownership and am willing to pay the standard veterinary costs incurred. I am not willing to “adopt” my own cat under circumstances that disregard the fact that he has an existing home.
Due to the continued misunderstandings, my husband will be coming in personally once he returns from his work trip this week to handle this matter directly.
I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved in a way that prioritises compassion and reunification, rather than technicalities.
Regards,
Roxanne Meyer
Thank you for your response.
Firstly, I need to correct a very serious misrepresentation. I was not at the SPCA to adopt a cat. I accompanied family friends who were looking to adopt. I am almost nine months pregnant and absolutely not in a position to take on another animal. I find it extremely upsetting that it has been stated as fact that I was there to adopt, when this is simply untrue.
Secondly, I never stated that I worked at any SPCA. I said that I have volunteered and helped with animals before. There is a significant difference, and I would appreciate that my words are not misrepresented.
My concern has never been about your protocols. I understand there is a 7-day period. However, I had relocated and was unfami**** with the area. I was actively searching for my cat. Once I located him and provided proof of ownership, I expected to be able to pay the reasonable costs incurred (vaccination, sterilisation, microchipping) and take my cat home.
Instead, I was told that:
He had effectively become property of the SPCA.
He was in the process of being adopted by another family.
I would need to pay R4,500 (which may now be more) to get my own cat back.
I live 30 minutes away from the SPCA. Champ was and is a loved family pet. The implication that we have not come forward because we do not love or miss him is deeply hurtful and unfair.
My position remains the same: I have provided proof of ownership and am willing to pay the standard veterinary costs incurred. I am not willing to “adopt” my own cat under circumstances that disregard the fact that he has an existing home.
Due to the continued misunderstandings, my husband will be coming in personally once he returns from his work trip this week to handle this matter directly.
I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved in a way that prioritises compassion and reunification, rather than technicalities.
Regards,
Roxanne Meyer