Brakpan SPCA highlights triumphs and trials at AGM

The Brakpan SPCA’s AGM on Saturday was made all the more special by the presence of a long-standing supporter of the local society.

Henry Barnard (89), who was awarded Lifetime Membership on July 24, 1993, was present at the meeting, which was held at My Plekkie Coffee Shop in Dalview.

Barnard and the other attendees were welcomed by Bianka Zietsman, the committee’s treasurer, who also presented the chairperson’s report as the committee is currently without a chairperson.

This report outlined the employee and committee structure, challenges faced and how the community can assist, focus areas and the SPCA’s financial peformance, including revenue and expenses.

Zietsman started off by explaining the employee and management committee structure. It was revealed that in addition to the vacant chairperson post, the vice-chairperson post is also vacant.

Following the resignation of a committee member during the past year, the committee currently only comprises the treasurer, secretary and three members.

With regards to finances, Zietsman stated the rising costs of essential services likes electricity, fuel and food create a challenging operating environment.

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It was shared, however, that the opening of the charity shop at the Mall@Carnival contributed positively to the society’s income by creating a steady, ongoing source of revenue. A single, generous donation also boosted the income for the year substantially.

“While the extra donation was a significant financial gain, the larger portion had to be allocated towards settling overdue accounts, indicating prior financial obligations or cash flow challenges,” said Zietsman.

“This financial management step was crucial for the organisation’s stability and creditworthiness. Nonetheless, after accounting for all expenses and payments on overdue accounts, the society still showed a profit for the year, demonstrating good fiscal resillience despite external economic challenges.”

The financial report also included major challenges facing the SPCA:
• Staffing shortages: The team decreased from 11 members to eight, causing a strain in meeting community and animal welfare needs.

• Vehicle breakdowns: Essential vehicles used for daily operations faced costly mechanical failures that limited mobility and service delivery.

• Security breaches and theft: A break-in led to the theft of beloved resident goats, damaging the facility’s boundary wall and creating safety concerns.

• Financial constraints: The SPCA faces ongoing financial pressures amid rising veterinary, vehicle maintenance, and operational costs.

• Animal disease outbreaks: Past outbreaks such as canine distemper forced temporary closures of the pound, halting adoptions and increasing financial strain.

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• Pet food shortages: The SPCA struggles with a critical shortage from time to time of pet food, making community donations vital for survival.

Brakpan SPCA manager Tamaryn Lombard then took to the floor to share her manager’s report. She started off by explaining the SPCA’s role, which is preventing cruelty to animals.

“That is our main mandate,” she said. “We are the municipal pound. We are mandated to handle any and all animals that we may come across.

“We unfortunately do not have a veterinarian on site, however, we offer many services through private vets, such as sterilisations.”

Lombard then stated the inspectorate’s functions, which are cruelty investigations, pro-active investigations and routine inspections.

The SPCA has one inspector, Mariska Venter, and one trainee inspector, Zivai Manyika. Venter started at the SPCA in 2018 and became an inspector in 2022.

Manyika started in 2023, and passed his inspector entrance exam earlier this year with an impressive 86%. Another employee, driver John Ragophala, was acknowledged for 15 years’ service and presented with a long-service award.

“John has dedicated most of his life to the SPCA, and we thank him for his effort, time, and for fighting for the animals,” said Lombard.

Lombard then showed the attendees videos of the good and the bad of the past year. These showed just a a glimpse of the work undertaken by staff – from releasing a rinkhals back into it’s natural habitat to tracking Ballot the baboon on his journey through town.

“We were taught that even if a rhino strolls in, you need to help. Even a stray goldfish,” she said, to the amusement of the attendees.

Other visuals were more disturbing, showing a heartbreaking array of neglected and abused animals.

“This is just five minutes of a whole year, a crazy year,” said Lombard.

She explained they investigated 352 complaints over the past year, conducted 130 routine and pre/post-home inspections, and obtained four warrants.

Lombard reported the inspectorate handled 2 018 animals, and the animals handled at the pound were an estimated 3 326.

She also mentioned they had a productive year of fundraising, which included, among other events, fun runs, a golf day, a movie night, an adoption family day, blikkie skuds, and the opening of the charity shop at Mall@Carnival.

Her presentation was followed by acknowledging various supporters, with some receiving certificates of appreciation.

Certificates were awarded to the Brakpan Herald, EG Garments, STM Communications, the Brakpan CPF, Clean Brakpan, Secure Tech Security, the Devon Hulpsentrum, Gerty Thomas and Agnang Charity.

Other supporters that were thanked were JHB Wildlife Vet, Mall@Carnival, SecurElect, Dalview Car Wash, Proline Manufacturer, Sandra Morgan, 3@1 Business Centre, Danie vdW-Musiek, State Mines Country Club, HTHC Solutions, Meet The Fluffers, Sherwood Gardens Animal Clinic, My Plekkie Coffee Shop and the SPCA committee.

Focus areas over the next year will include exploring different avenues to source steady income, increased focus on fundraising, minimising society expenses, reviewing possible pricing increases of services offered (vaccinations, microchipping and sterilisations), governance and compliance, and the improvement of SPCA facilities (maintenance and kennel upgrades).
Zietsman concluded the AGM by reaffirming the SPCA’s commitment.

“The Brakpan SPCA’s leadership remains resolute about overcoming setbacks to better serve both animals and people,” she said.

“We emphasise that every donation and act of kindness contributes significantly, underscoring that our work depends on the community’s generosity and involvement.

“Together, the challenges faced illustrate the harsh realities of running a non-profit animal welfare organisation, but the community’s sustained trust and support highlight the strong bond between the Brakpan SPCA and its constituency, united by compassion for animals and shared responsibility.

“This collective effort is essential for the SPCA to continue protecting and caring for thousands of animals annually, providing vital services despite resource constraints and external difficulties.”

How you can help:
Members of the community are urged to assist by becoming a committee member or even an ordinary SPCA member.

The latter entails paying a nominal annual fee. Volunteering is also always welcome at the SPCA. The SPCA is always grateful for donations, whether in cash or kindness.

Members of the public can sign up for the SPCA debit order programme, or nominate the Brakpan SPCA as a MySchool beneficiary.

Residents are also encouraged to share the SPCA’s Facebook posts and advocate for the SPCA. Sterilising pets is of the utmost importance, and people are encouraged to adopt instead of buying pets.