SPCA has been a voice for the voiceless for over seven decades

To ensure that the organisation stays open and continues to be the voice of the animals for many more years residents are encouraged to continue donating to the Benoni SPCA, to find out how you can help, contact them on 011 894 2814

August 23, 2021

Terry-Ann Diergaardt 2 minutes read

Elizabeth Glass works at the Benoni SPCA with Buddy, one of the dogs that are up for adoption at the organisation.

The Benoni SPCA has been the voice of abused and neglected animals since 1948.

While the services rendered have evolved through the years, the organisation has also been established as the official municipal pound in the area.

The current chairperson of the organisation, Diane Wooldridge, who has been part of the council for 15 years shared her experiences with the City Times.

“I joined the Benoni SPCA because I felt the need to give back. Animals were always my passion and my pack was always around five to six dogs at one time so it was the obvious choice for me.

“Many people say they could not do the work as it’s very upsetting, but if we all feel so then who would help the animals?”

She explained that running the SPCA is like jumping on a trampoline – very highs or very lows.

“My high was ‘saving’ the ground in Lakefield. My lows are the ‘keyboard worriers’ as these people have nothing better to do with their time other than to slam the SPCA and especially if our answer is not to their liking,” she said

“They do not donate five cents or give five minutes of their time but they can find time to get onto social media and spread the word on how bad we are.

“It is so demoralising when you consider the nature of our work and it gets to the staff and the committee.”

Wooldridge highlighted that seeing animals getting adopted or when long-lost animals are found by their owners is one of the highs of being part of the organisation.

“I am also constantly looking for committee members but it appears that folk does not like working for nothing and this is very sad I think.”

The Benoni SPCA currently has 18 hardworking staff members who all ensure that the animals at the facility are well looked after.

The organisation has 160 kennels, which include 40 cat kennels, 20 for boarding, and 20 for adoptions.

They have 40 adoption kennels, a clinic with 20 kennels, and a block of 20 kennels for boarding.

As the official municipal pound, they have 20 kennels and another block of 20 kennels for confiscations, extra boarding, overflow as well as a large farmyard where animals are kept until adopted.

To ensure that the organisation stays open and continues to be the voice of the animals for many more years residents are encouraged to continue donating to the Benoni SPCA, to find out how you can help, contact them on 011 894 2814.