Nigel SPCA in dire need

The Nigel SPCA, located on Nigel-Dunnottar Road, needs the community’s assistance.

From various maintenance issues regarding the kennels and office space to financial support and donations for the animals, HERAUT paid a visit to the SPCA to ask about their needs.

“A lot of people will know that we recently had to sell our old vehicle,” said SPCA chairperson Angela Morris.
“We managed to buy a new vehicle but it’s a lot smaller and, for example, we can only transport one dog at a time for fear that they would attack each other.”

This, according to SPCA manager Jacqui Pretorius, is difficult especially when they receive multiple complaints.
“What a lot of people don’t realise is that we cover an extremely wide area,” Pretorius said.

“From Nigel and Sharon Park to Dunnottar, Duduza, Balfour, Delmas, Greylingstad and Villiers, it’s extremely difficult to attend to emergencies with only one vehicle. We need another vehicle just to make covering the areas a little bit easier.”

According to Pretorius, some of the kennels can’t be used since the wire fences between kennels are broken in places.

“This can be dangerous for the dogs, especially if they try to bite one another,” Pretorius said.

“Not only that, but they can also injure themselves on pieces of wire sticking out when they jump around the kennels or even when they try to escape.

“If we could just have someone come out and help us fix the fences or get the financial aid to pay someone to assist us, we would appreciate it so much.”

The roof of the office building on the premises also requires maintenance and leaks whenever it rains.

The premises also hasn’t had electricity for the last few years due to account issues with the municipality.

“We are aware of the issue regarding the Nigel SPCA’s electricity,” said ward councillor Wollaston Labuschagne.

“We are looking into it but fixing the problem will take a while.”

According to Labuschagne, the CoE has allocated funds for the SPCA but since it is divided between all SPCAs in the Ekurhuleni region, the funds they receive aren’t nearly enough for all their maintenance requirements.

“If there are some businesses in our community who might be able to help with some form of electricity for the SPCA, I am sure it will make all the difference in the world,” Labuschagne said.

The SPCA has also opened a small shop on the premises to help gain funds.

“Any donations, clothes, small knick-knacks, anything is welcome,” Morris said.

“As always, any other donations, food and blankets for the animals are also always needed.”

For more information regarding the SPCA’s needs and how to help, contact the SPCA at chair@nigelspca.co.za or call 084 485 7029.

Alternatively, donations can be made to the SPCA’s bank account:

Nigel SPCA, Bank: FNB

Account number: 62142471276, cheque account

Branch code: 210654