The Estcourt Animal Shelter held its annual general meeting (AGM) on May 18 at the Estcourt Golf Club. The attendees were made up of the Estcourt Animal Shelter committee and community members.

David McFie from the shelter covered highlights from the 2016/2017 year, which included a financial report, fundraising ideas, challenges and special recognition of donors and volunteers.

During March of 2015 the Estcourt and District SPCA was forced to close down and some committee members took it upon themselves to open a private animal shelter.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE: SPCA forced to close

The community-based animal welfare centre was successfully registered as a non-profit organisation in June 2015, therefore it depends on donations from the public and private sector. The Estcourt Animal Shelter homes, loves and feeds stray, starving and abused cats and dogs, unless there is a need to euthanise the pets.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: Estcourt Animal Shelter is ready to serve the community

The shelter is situated in Kemps Road and has two staff living onsite, who are always on standby. Nelson Mabaso, the Shelter Manager, is on duty from 7.30am to 4pm on weekdays and is on standby after hours for call outs. Mr McFie reported that the shelter operates on R20 000 a month. This amount goes towards wages of the three employed staff members, food, medication, rates and the up keep of the kennels.

The shelter responds to call outs in Estcourt, Weenen, Winterton, Drakensberg, private farm lands and surrounding rural townships. Within the three years of the shelter’s operation, a record of 118 dogs and 18 cats have been given loving homes. According to Mr Mabaso, who regularly does follow-up checks on the adopted pets, all homed animals were happy and healthy. The Estcourt Animal Shelter’s committee ultimately aims to be a self-sustaining animal welfare centre.

Mr McFie expressed his gratitude for all the donations in the form of pet food, feeding bowls, blankets, neck collars, medication, meat, cash in pledges and from the collection tins placed at cash points in shops and restaurants. Business, schools, the Estcourt Vets, the Estcourt News, members of the public and individuals were thanked for all their generous donations.

READ MORE HERE: Donations for the Estcourt Animal Shelter

A further thanks went to the enthusiastic committee for their time, assistance and commitment.

“Without Nelson, we would not have a shelter, thank you for the great work you do. We are grateful to have you,” Mr McFie said.

In turn the committee thanked Mr McFie for being the driving force behind the shelter. One of the biggest challenges the shelter faces is infection control. New ideas to fund raise were also suggested, such as a fete; and a petting day was also considered. The annual Polar Bear Swim in the Drakensberg will take place on June 24. The proceeds raised from the swim, organised by Ann Gray, goes to the Estcourt Animal Shelter.

The committee also looked at ways to educate school children about adopting a pet and how to correctly take care of them. The public is welcome to visit the animals at the shelter and spend time with them.

“It gives me peace of mind making the animals feel loved and I enjoy spending my time at the shelter,” said committee member, Jeannine Raciti, who makes time every day to visit the shelter. The committee highlights that they are and always will be in need of donations and are currently low on dog food. You can look forward to seeing the faces behind the Estcourt Animal Shelter out and about fundraising and collecting donations for the pets at the shelter.

It was raised that it isn’t always about the animal’s looks, but certainly their personality. The community is encouraged to visit the shelter and consider adopting a furry friend.

If you are interested in making a donation towards the shelter contact Mr McFie on 082 905 4786 and if you need stray animals collected, Nelson Mabaso can be contacted on 060 988 9495.

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