Community shocked by SPCA news
The community should have started caring about the SPCA ages ago, but now it is too late.
Krugersdorp residents are up in arms after it came to their attention on 16 February that the Krugersdorp SPCA branch is to close down.
News editor Janine Viljoen spoke candidly to the SPCA Johannesburg’s spokesperson, Jolene Beyleveld to get more information regarding the closing of the branch.
One of the many questions posted on facebook after the News posted a link to the initial story was where are all the government funds being allocated to?
Beyleveld stated the SPCA has never received any government funding, hence the financial crisis they are in. When asked about the amount it takes to keep the doors open, Beyleveld said she is not allowed to disclose that.
“As for the other monies received through donations, adoptions as so forth, it has been utilised for salaries, food for the animals and general upkeep of the building. But even that was not enough because the Joburg branch had to step in and carry the Krugersdorp branch financially for the past six years,” Beyleveld said.
It would seem that the property, which does not belong to the SPCA, is still open for discussion and will be brought before the SPCA’s board.
As the outcome of the property is not set, Beyleveld said that interested organisations could send a proposal through to the SPCA for consideration.
“We have looked at other avenues to lease the property to other animal organisations but nothing has been finalised yet.”
The News has received endless queries about the closing down as well as ideas from readers to organise a fundraiser in an attempt to save the SPCA.
“If the community wants to do this, it will need to be sustainable, but why now? We doubt that the community will keep the doors open. Support should have been on-going from the start.”
Residents who used the branch for boarding purposes will now have to visit one of the sister branches in either Roodepoort or Randburg.
To date the News has received many complaints about the SPCA staff being rude and asked Beyleveld if this perhaps played a role in the community not supporting the organisation anymore.
“We were not aware of the fact that they were unapproachable and rude, however, they have been offered alternative job arrangements.”
The News will continue to keep the readers up the date with the latest developments leading to the closing down of the once loved SPCA.
