August 2021
TEXT-ONLY VERSION (scroll to bottom to download Newsletter in PDF)
GOAL
An introduction to our new monthly newsletter.
We are very excited to announce the start of our new monthly newsletter. Over the course of the year EarthPet has collected data from veterinary practices, private clients and welfare organizations through our carcass collection forms. The aim of this monthly newsletter will always be to inform and provide facts in order to promote transparency and to dispel any misinformation.
EarthPet has been working tirelessly to make the public and veterinary professionals aware of the dangers that the disposal of animal carcasses on landfill pose. From April to August we have found that 23% of all our carcasses collected have been classified as infectious. As of 2018, the national law which governs waste management has prohibited infectious carcasses from being dumped on landfill due to the environmental risk that they pose.
If you would like to read up about the laws & regulations governing the lawful disposal of animal carcasses please visit our website for the full memorandum drawn up by Cullinan & Associates.
It is up to us to take action to protect our environment.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Every month’s newsletter will cover a different topic. The aim of this is to provide factual, scientific information to our clients. Next month’s topic will be a comparison between open and closed composting systems and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Statistics for the month – this can pertain to the information EarthPet collects and/or the monthly topic!
STATISTICS
The statistics compiled by EarthPet are available in infographic form! We have included it as part of this newsletter and as separate file for your convenience!
EARTHPET STATISTICS
EarthPet has recently begun compiling statistics based on the animal carcasses we collect from various veterinary clinics, welfare organizations and private clients in the Western Cape from April to August 2021.
Here is what we found:
83% OF ANIMAL CARCASSES COLLECTED WERE DOGS.
EarthPet mainly collects from small animal veterinary clinics, private clients and welfare organizations however we are able to collect larger animals such as horses, cows and even alpacas.
8 OUT OF 10 INFECTIOUS DOG DEATHS WERE DUE TO DISTEMPER.
23% OF ANIMAL DEATHS WERE DUE TO INFECTIOUS REASONS
67% of animal remains collected were welfare. Of the welfare animals 32% died due to infectious reasons.
NEARLY 1/2 OF ALL THE CARCASSES COLLECTED FROM APRIL TO AUGUST HAVE BEEN EUTHANISED.
Sodium pentobarbital is the active ingredient found in the drug used to euthanize animals. It is incredibly harmful to the environment and poses a grave danger. EarthPet’s closed composting system remains one of the safest options for animal remain disposal.
IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Take action by educating yourself on the laws and regulations on the proper disposal of animal carcasses. See our website for more information on how EarthPet is doing its part for the environment.
RABIES OUTBREAK & VACCINATIONS
On 23 August 2021, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services confirmed that they had received laboratory results confirming rabies in two dogs in Khayelitsha in the City of Cape Town.
Pet owners are encouraged to be vigilant and to take their pets to their private veterinarian or animal welfare organisation to make sure their rabies vaccinations are up to date.