SPCA’s AGM reflects successes, challenges, plans

The Boksburg SPCA held its AGM, reaffirming and highlighting its commitment to protecting and caring for animals, and supporting and educating communities on July 19.

The animal welfare organisation, which just turned 75, discussed several important issues, including its financial challenges and plans. It also presented annual reports reflecting on the past year’s activities, from animal intakes to cruelty investigations, financial performance, fundraising efforts and community support.

Challenges
The Boksburg SPCA’s biggest challenge is improving its financial condition after operating at a loss for several years.
The society is battling to gain ongoing support from the community, particularly local businesses, to maintain its current positive trajectory.

According to chairperson Willie du Plessis, while many operational aspects of running the pound have been addressed, financial pressures remain due to a lack of continued, sustainable support in the current economic environment.
He pointed out that donations are declining, whether in the form of money, services or goods.
“We continued with operational cost controls during the financial year, and the additional income streams introduced in the previous year helped us achieve a positive financial result.”

The society’s overall operational income increased by about R164 750, but expenses rose by R730 195 compared to the 2023/24 financial year.
Some of the expense increases:
• Repairs and maintenance: up from R176 384 to R408 918;
• Food purchases for the pound: R0 to R97 347;
• Vet services and associated costs: from R1 714 679 to R2 087 276.

After accounting for municipal grant funds and investment income, a surplus of R370 230 was generated, compared to R589 066 the previous year. The drop is attributed to rising expenses, including repairs, maintenance, food and clinic costs.
The society anticipates further difficulties this year, with the ongoing economic downturn causing hardship across all income groups, business sectors and welfare organisations.
“The economic challenges mean it will be more difficult to access donor funding and render the required animal welfare services at the levels needed, while still caring for employee wellbeing.”

Income
Income from fundraising and various services stands just above R4.7m. Projects contributing to this include the annual golf day, the Christmas Cheer Fund, calendar sales, the Second Chance Shop, the medical clinic, new homes for animals, donations, boarding fees and vaccinations.

Operational statistics
The operational statistics showed how busy the society is. While the numbers are similar to the prior financial year, concerns were raised regarding increased animal surrenders, with the main reason being the economic impact of the current environment.
“People are either unable to care for their pets or downscale to accommodation where pets are not allowed.”

Outreach
The outreach initiatives focus on local indigent areas in Boksburg. The society managed to expand its outreach programme during the year, running weekly outreach events in the Sky and Blue informal settlements and Reiger, Delmore and Windmill parks, where about 300 animals were sterilised.
“We have also built up a wonderful team of volunteers who definitely contribute to the success we are achieving.”
The SPCA found a need in these communities for collars, harnesses, leashes, kennels, pet beds, blankets and food. Donations to assist these pet owners are welcome.

Services
With 18 employees led by manager and senior inspector Vicky Finnemore, the society continues to render high-quality animal welfare services despite the challenges.
“We continue to respond to complaints, investigate, encourage corrective action through education and, where necessary, obtain warrants to remove animals and pursue prosecutions.
“The inspectorate also uses these interactions to convince pet owners to sterilise their animals to prevent unwanted litters, which may lead to further cruelty cases.”
The inspectorate provides proactive and reactive animal welfare services.
Proactive services include inspecting pet shops, grooming parlours, security companies, the EMPD K9 Unit, the SAPS Horse Unit, Bokkie Park, breeders and other facilities to ensure proper animal care.
The society continues to offer educational sessions, some targeted at learners and others during weekly outreaches. It encourages more schools to get involved.

Veterinary clinic
The Boksburg SPCA remains the only SPCA in Ekurhuleni with an operational community veterinary clinic. Its main function is low-cost sterilisations for pet owners who would otherwise not afford them, and minor treatments within the clinic’s scope.
Locum veterinarians Drs Deborah Chetty, Nick Temlett, Candice Ehlers and Meriza van den Berg, veterinary nurse Klaudia Pruczkowska and veterinary nurses and trainees support the clinic.
Dr C Conradie of the North Rand Road Veterinary Hospital was appointed as principal and supervising veterinarian for the clinic and the animal welfare assistants.

Grant and regional co-operation
The SPCA continues to receive a monthly municipal grant of around R46 000 from the CoE.
“Although we are the official municipal pound for the Boksburg and Vosloorus areas, this unfortunately covers less than 10% of our monthly expenses for these services.”

Thank you
“The list of thank-yous is far too extensive to mention, but some businesses deserve special thanks for their ongoing support: The Boksburg Advertiser, the Doggy Parlour, Astron Energy Sunward Park, Supaquick Sunward Park, Alair Airconditioning, Tarryn Ross from Mediamie for social media artwork and calendar design, and the Beezer Group for services and support.”

“There are also many businesses, families, and individuals who contribute monthly or sponsor kennels. We thank you. We also appreciate the many other donations we receive: food, animal care items, goods for our Second Chance Shop and service assistance.”
“To Vicky Finnemore, our manager, and her staff, the committee thanks you for the passionate way you go about your work. Thank you for maintaining high standards, finding cost-saving measures and enhancing our society’s success and reputation.”

Support
In conclusion, the society has continued to run well despite sustained pressure from complaints, stray and surrendered animals, repairs and needing to secure donations in a tough economy.
You can support the society by:
• becoming a member, serving on the management or fundraising committees;
• Donating services, goods, money and time through volunteering and participating;
• Sponsoring outreach activities and sterilisations in underprivileged communities.
“Without community support, it would be an even greater battle to render the animal welfare services or provide a better service to pet owners and their animals so in need of our care and protection.”

Also Read: Support the Boksburg SPCA’s 75th anniversary dinner.