Partnerships with local businesses will enable the Brakpan SPCA to do what it does best – focus on the welfare of animals.
The society has appealed to Brakpan companies to become proud sponsors of the SPCA.
“We want to be proactive and need the backing of the community. We need serious people to help make changes,” said Brakpan SPCA manager Tamaryn Lombard.
Lombard recently met with the Brakpan Herald to talk about the challenges facing the society, their successes, as well as plans for the future.
“It’s not just food. We need support on a lot of different aspects,” she said.
She explained that one of their immediate goals is to target maintenance issues. Spending less money on maintenance will mean more funding for the animals.
“We definitely want to sort out the front of the property. We are situated on a dangerous road. There are lots of speeding vehicles and the section of road in front of our driveway is damaged.
“The driveway has also been damaged by rain, which pools in the area. An accident here could see a car going through our wall,” said Lombard.
“The driveway needs to be repaired. We also need to excavate the area for drainage. Ideally, we would like to have the outside area paved to create parking. This will be less maintenance as there will be no grass to cut.
“Parking bays are also a better utilisation of the space. We want to start hosting events and market days on the premises, so there will be more parking available to visitors.
“We would also like to pave the entire inside parking area. Bricks have been donated, we just need some help.”
Lombard told the Herald she believes the SPCA office building was erected around 30 years ago. She stated the building is in need of constant maintenance.
“Currently, the roof needs painting. We had someone help us replace the putty on the windows, but we also need help with other things, like new signage,” said Lombard.
“There are six palm trees on the property that need to be removed. They pose security and other risks.”
A sponsor-a-wall project is underway to not only beautify the exterior walls, but to also recognise regular supporters of the SPCA. Another focus of the SPCA is the jumble shop and second-hand book shop on the premises.
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“The jumble shop is open all the time. We are still working on it. It can generate good funds and we can’t afford not to have it,” said Lombard.
A permanent staff member has been employed in the shop, which sells donated items. While there is no shortage of goods for sale, the shop requires shelving.
Lombard explained they would also like to see the shop stock food, products and accessories for pets.
They would also like to utilise a section of the property, to the right of the office, to host markets, adoption days and other events.
One of the SPCA’s biggest dreams, however, is to have a clinic on the premises. This, according to Lombard, will have numerous benefits.
“It will offer services to indigent pet owners. By getting an in-house vet, there is so much we could do such as sterilisation and outreach programmes,” she said.
“This is not to take business away from Brakpan vets. There are just too many animals suffering unnecessarily. We understand that people are in a bad place financially.”
With an eye on improvements, the SPCA has already implemented some changes, such as the division of the pound.
The kennels have been split into two sections and all new animals are separated from the others. This is to ensure none of the animals’ health is compromised.
“We don’t always know the backgrounds of the animals that we take in. We can also never be sure whether an animal is sick or not,” she said.
Since this implementation, the SPCA has not experienced any disease outbreaks in the pound. Animals ready for adoption are kept in the adoption block, which also helps prevent added stress to the other animals.
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“There are a lot of strangers walking around and coupled with a new environment, it can be stressful for them,” Lombard said.
The adoption block has also recently undergone a makeover, with the fencing and interior walls receiving a new coat of paint. This and other changes have all been staff-driven.
“We’re trying to make the kennels not look like prison cells,” said Lombard, adding that the cattery and other kennels will also undergo this transformation.
The kennels are cleaned and disinfected daily which is necessary but costly. A special cleaning agent, water and a chlorinator are used.
Not all of the kennels have gutters for water run-off, which is something Lombard would like to change. Those that do have gutters also need attention.
“They need to be made lower and covered with grates. Sometimes the water doesn’t drain properly. Fixing this is not something we can do ourselves and we need a company to help,” she said.
Lombard is delighted with the recent upgrades made to the cattery which saw the sponsorship of a roof for the entire area.
While there has always been shelter and protection from the elements for cats and kittens in this area, the enclosures were mostly open.
Lombard explained that when it rained, the water would run into the back of the kennels. The erection of the roof has now resolved this problem.
Lights have also been installed and future plans for the cattery include partitioning the kennels and acquiring new boxes for the cats to take shelter in.
Plastic boxes have been considered the best option as these will be more hygienic and easier to clean. The SPCA is also always in need of cat litter, which is something not often donated.
The addition of the roof to the cattery also saw the open kennels behind the cattery covered. These, as well as the next block of kennels, are in need of urgent maintenance.
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Lombard said every kennel and area is utilised as they need the space.
“We are seeing a lot more animals come in,” she said.
The SPCA also has boarding kennels. Lombard stressed that pet owners must ensure their pets are vaccinated before making use of these facilities.
In addition to these kennels, the society has a farmyard area where they keep livestock. It too is is in need of some TLC.
“We don’t only deal with cats and dogs. It would be great to get the stable area closed up with bricks so the animals are totally protected from the elements,” said Lombard.
“We just want to make sure all the animals are more comfortable. It’s all about them. We want them coming to a better place when they come here,” she said.
“We also want the community to come here and for the SPCA to be a place of which they can be proud and for them to see the passion that drives the staff.”
Another obstacle facing the society is transport. They currently only have one vehicle after the engine of their bakkie seized. Load-shedding and water cuts are other constant headaches.
“We cannot ever be without water for obvious reasons. A borehole would solve this issue,” said Lombard.
“As for load-shedding, it halts jobs in the office, such as the phones not working, and we can’t serve the public properly. We need solar. We need to run efficiently and be self-sustainable.”
Lombard continued that without issues such as this and maintenance to worry about, staff will be able to better carry out their duties.
“Our name says it all, preventing cruelty. And we are there to enforce the law pertaining to animals,” she said.
“We would like to visit schools for awareness and education, to teach about the five freedoms of animals, which we are just not seeing,” said Lombard.
The five are freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from fear and distress.
“We are seeing a lot of underweight animals, so the basics are not in place. By teaching children, they will know that if the basics are not there at home, the SPCA can come and help,” said Lombard.
“We are doing the best we can to serve the public. We are also thankful to our donors and supporters. Their donations are being used, and not spent on unnecessary things. The change from tin collections is being used.”
Lombard extended the SPCA’s gratitude to Dalview Car Wash, Rapid Spill Response, WH Hardware, Secure Tech Security, Jauva Pet Food, Proline Manufacturers, DF Autotech, Dogdish Technologies, Body Art Gym and the Brown family.
“We need support from more local companies and are calling for partnerships from Brakpan businesses. It should be Brakpan supporting Brakpan,” she said.
The SPCA has also invited all members of the community to attend its upcoming AGM.
“We need more committee members to help with fundraising and even education. This will lighten the load. We need a good, strong committee that helps us be everywhere,” said Lombard.
The society has 12 staff members and seven committee members.
The AGM will be held on July 15 at 12:30 for 13:00 at Thabong Wedding and Conference Venue, 22 Denne Road in Rand Collieries.
The SPCA may be contacted on 011 742 2007 and is situated at 96 Denne Road in Witpoort.
