Covid-19: Help Midrand SPCA pay staff salaries
MIDRAND – SPCA general manager Pam Pretorius appeals to community members to support the society during these tough times.
The Midrand SPCA has appealed to community members to assist them in paying the salaries of their essential workers during lockdown.
General manager at the Midrand SPCA Pam Pretorius said that the announcement on 9 April concerning the lockdown extension is a great concern for the society which is operating at a financial loss at present.
“While most South Africans are currently in lockdown, animal cruelty and animal-related emergencies are still a reality and continue to take place on a daily basis,” said Pretorius.
“Our kennel staff and inspectors place not only their lives but the lives of their families at risk every day as they continue to come to work.”
Pretorius explained that kennel staff were given the option to stay at home during lockdown but refused to place the burden of caring for over 100 animals on the inspectors. Those that do not stay on the property are collected by the SPCA every day to come in and ensure that the kennels are cleaned, animals are provided with clean water, health checks are done and the dogs are taken for walks.
“Our inspectors, who play a vitally important role in fulfilling our mandate are constantly exposed to a deadly virus for which there is yet no cure, venturing into densely populated areas where social distancing is a challenge and chances of exposure increases,” said Pretorius.
She explained that the society is operating at a financial loss since they are unable to plan fundraising events at this time and are dependent on the public to see them through.
According to Pretorius, it costs them R120 000 per month to pay salaries. This cost does not include rent, water, electricity, medication and any other operational expenses.
Community members can pay directly into the SPCA’s bank account, the details of which are available on the SPCA Midrand Facebook page or SMS ‘STAFF’ to 38324 to donate R25 (network and admin fees apply).
“We would like to encourage the public to support their local SPCA during these tough times. We understand this situation is not easy for anyone, but as an essential service, the country is looking towards us and the SPCA movement as a whole, to continue the fight against animal cruelty.”
