White River SPCA needs your help

White River SPCA (WRSPCA) has mounted a concerted year-end fundraising drive to restore its crumbling and rusted facilities and to be able to feed the growing number of rescued and destitute animals over the Christmas holidays.

Opening an old gate that has rusted off at the hinges, Estelle de Villiers points to five dilapidated kennels.

“These were our boarding kennels, but the subsidence is bad and the roofs are so rusted that it’s not safe to keep the animals here. We can’t afford the quotes to have these kennels restored, but we urgently need the extra accommodation and to buy pet food.”

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The SPCA is hoping to build eight new kennels at a cost of R118 000, dependent on funds coming in. Unfortunately, its pop-up sale at the WRSPCA on November 26 was rained out, placing further stress on funding initiatives.

De Villiers said, “On a good day, the pop-up sales can bring in R3 500, but it costs R2 500 to run one kennel for one month. And we have 28 kennels.”

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The WRSPCA is looking forward to its 4km trail run on December 2. The run leaves from The Plantsman on the Uplands road at 17:30 and will finish at the same venue.

Then, on December 3, it has a car boot sale at Casterbridge with large crowds expected for Penny Bowden’s launch of the biggest knitted Christmas tree ever.

Thanking their donors, De Villiers said, “We’re forever grateful to Jack and Marelise Brotherton of Seasons in Africa for their donation and to Kim Liston of Wine on Wheels who gives us R300 per month. Kim is our only monthly sponsor at the moment. Thanks also to Charles de Beer of White River Garden Pavilion who gives discounts if you buy pet food for the WRSPCA.

“Talisman is also priceless to us, always ready to repair and cut and paste when we need help.”

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The WRSPCA is currently unable to pay all its staff who have welfare considerations and is hoping the public will come together for the love of animals over the season of giving.

To help the small team of unbelievably courageous and dedicated people help those who are helpless, call De Villiers on 083 664 7505.