Support the heroes of animal welfare: Boksburg SPCA’s clinic needs you to keep saving animals

The Boksburg SPCA is leading the way in animal welfare with its functioning community clinic, the only one of its kind operated by an SPCA in Ekurhuleni, which serves not just the Boksburg area but pet owners across the wider region.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, SPCA secretary Sue Beadon said the clinic’s primary focus is sterilisation, a proven solution to South Africa’s devastating problem of animal overpopulation.

“South Africa is burdened with a massive overpopulation of four million unwanted cats and dogs. This overpopulation leads to widespread abandonment, cruelty, neglect, and suffering – things our team sadly witnesses every day,” said Beadon.

According to Beadon, sterilisation is the only effective long-term solution. For this reason, the society clinic focuses primarily on sterilisation.

In the last financial year alone (April 2024 – March 2025), the clinic sterilised 3 834 animals – 1 900 dogs and 1 934 cats. This has significantly reduced the number of unwanted litters, preventing hundreds of thousands of animals from entering the cycle of neglect, abandonment, and euthanasia.

Sterilisation also promotes animal health by reducing the risk of cancers, uterine infections, and sexually transmitted diseases in pets.

In addition to routine sterilisation, the clinic assists, where finances allow, with minor treatments for pet owners who cannot afford private veterinary care.

“Our goal is to support responsible pet ownership, especially among those most in need,” Beadon added.

What sets the Boksburg SPCA apart is its dedicated “spay days”, which include feral cat spay days, outreach spay days, and SASSA/pensioner spay days. These provide heavily subsidised sterilisation services to those who can least afford them.

Beadon acknowledged the critical role of the organisation’s skilled veterinary team: Dr Nicolas Temlett, Dr Deborah Chetty, Dr Candice Ehlers, and Dr Meriza van den Berg, who work alongside clinic assistants Johannes Kholu and Thabo Mofokeng. The clinic’s success is also attributed to Boksburg SPCA manager Vicky Finnemore and committee members Anita Bonnette and Beadon herself.

To illustrate the impact, Beadon explained:
“One unsterilised female cat and her offspring can produce over 11 000 cats in just five years, and an unsterilised female dog can lead to more than 2 000 dogs in the same period. Our clinic has made an enormous difference by preventing the suffering of potentially hundreds of thousands of unwanted animals.”

The Boksburg SPCA has been serving the community and surrounding areas for 75 years, staying true to its mission of preventing cruelty and uplifting the welfare of all animals.
“Our work is only possible thanks to public support. We receive no government funding and rely on donations to continue making a difference,” said Beadon.

She urged community members to get involved by making a monthly donation or sponsoring a sterilisation.

“Your commitment will save and change the lives of so many animals in need.”

For more information or to support the SPCA’s life-saving work, contact secretary@boksburgspca.co.za

Beadon also highlighted that all donations qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate.

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