PAWS Haven Animal Shelter has been without electricity since 11:00 this morning (Tuesday, August 25) after the JB Marks Municipality reportedly disconnected the electricity on the premises.

Due to PAWS Haven being dependant on borehole water they are now consequently without electricity and water and have had to temporarily close to the public.

PAWS Haven shared the news on their social media pages this afternoon.

According to one of the directors at PAWS Haven, Simoné Kotze, they have waited a year on a response from the municipality on clarity regarding the electricity agreement. There has been numerous threats throughout the year that their electricity would be turned off.

“We have now sought legal advice on this matter. We need the community to support us so that we can serve the community. We have to save PAWS Haven,” she said.

Currently, employees are having to do tasks manually with water that is still available. A small generator is also currently running at PAWS Haven as a temporary measure.

Due to the power being turned off PAWS Haven can not function financially on their own.
“We can’t do vet sevices, adoptions or pay salaries and other costs. Money now has to generated from the outside,” added Kotze.
The Herald contacted the JB Marks Municipality for comment but has yet to get a response at the time of publication.