SPCA battles theft, fund loss and justice system failures

The RandWest SPCA issued a heartfelt call for action during this year’s annual general meeting, where outgoing chairperson Brenda Eloff shared the immense challenges and heartbreak the facility endured throughout the 2024/ 25 financial year.

“This was probably one of the strangest years we have had. Theft and break-ins have been a major problem. Our biggest setback in 2024 occurred when Westonaria’s rooftop was stolen. We are exceptionally grateful to the sponsors who helped us fix the issue,” she said.

Furthermore, she thanked the staff of OUTsurance, who donated a portion of their salaries to help the SPCA with security beams and an alarm system.

Although various sponsors enabled repairs at the Westonaria branch, Eloff remains concerned about security at the Randfontein branch. She explained that theft is ongoing at the SPCA, including the theft of steel items. She also added that the roof of Westonaria still needs painting and the rain damage has not yet been repaired.

She emphasised that the SPCA is facing challenges due to a lack of committee members. They still need members to support their efforts in the areas of Randfontein, Westonaria, and Krugersdorp.

“What residents do not understand is that being a member of the committee means volunteering,” she said.

During the meeting, Eloff highlighted that the SPCA ended the financial year with a deficit. The income for both the years 2024 and 2025 was R2.8 million, while expenses for both years totalled R3.1 million, leaving the SPCA with a combined deficit of nearly R300 000. For the year 2025 alone, the SPCA suffered a total loss of R40 000.

“We have depleted all our savings and are currently living from hand to mouth. There just isn’t enough money,” Eloff noted.

In the financial report, Eloff began with the income received during the year. Their yearly municipal pound income was about R700 000, plus a monthly contribution of R30 000 from the municipality per branch. She explained that this amount is insufficient to sustain the SPCA.

One positive aspect Eloff mentioned was that donations increased by nearly 35%. This includes a R100 000 donation from a resident.

“This shows that the community recognises us, and we are grateful. I also want to thank the staff and volunteers, whom I can count on one hand.”

Although the adoption income rose by nearly 19%, Eloff stated that this correlated with the number of animals they admitted.

A major concern is the 79% decrease in fundraising, which she attributed to the shortage of committee members. In 2024, they raised over R130 000, but in 2025, it was only about R75 000.

The number of animals reclaimed by their owners increased by 43%, meaning that in 2024, those owners were not charged a fee. She explained that usually a fee is charged because the SPCA must shelter and care for the animals until owners come to collect them. The statistics indicate that fees were charged correctly this year.

Another concerning statistic was the Randfontein branch’s charity shop income, which fell from over R20 000 to just below R9 000. Eloff believes this decline may be due to a lack of advertising.

Regarding shelter animals and ongoing investigations, Eloff expressed her utter shock.

The 2025 statistics were as follows:

• Admitted animals: 1 566
• Strays admitted: 348 more than the previous year
• Donated cats: 350
• Donated dogs: 1 078
• Animals admitted to euthanasia in 2025: 120 compared to 91 last year
• Pre-home checks completed: 61 compared to 35 last year
• Animals claimed by owners: One cat, 15 dogs, six fewer than last year
• Cats adopted: 13 compared to eight last year
• Dogs adopted: 96 compared to 64 last year
• Animals collected from cruelty reports: 292 compared to 151 last year
• Cruelty investigations: 376 compared to 217 last year
• Warnings issued: 90

This year, the RandWest SPCA has taken in 3 165 animals, which is 1 021 more than the previous year. Eloff emphasised this equates to about nine animals every day.

“We have 18 cat kennels, six cat boarding kennels, and 61 dog kennels in Randfontein and Westonaria. How do you house and feed 264 animals a month? The year has barely begun,” she said.

Manager René van Straten then gave a heartbreaking account regarding inspections and court cases. These figures exclude animal admissions and shelter animals.

The statistics are as follows:

• Dogs assisted: 1 208
• Cruelty investigations for poultry: 5 521
• Routine inspections for poultry: 404
• Cows and sheep assisted: 1 722
• Total collections (investigation trips): 292
• Warrants issued per premises: 18
• Open court cases: 21 (10 in Randfontein, six in Westonaria, five in Krugersdorp)
• Court cases withdrawn or rejected: 5

“The pending court cases are serious. They include cases of starved animals in such poor condition that they are experiencing organ failure, skin conditions, and more. The justice system can be more difficult to fight against than the actual abusers. The prosecutor who is supposed to defend the SPCA often has many cases to deal with. In most cases, animal cruelty doesn’t seem to matter much to them,” she explained.

Van Straten explained that they recently lost a case in court wherein the owner of the abused animal was found not guilty. This was one of the cases in Westonaria where multiple cows had to be euthanised due to being in an emaciated state.

In a painful moment, Van Straten read the cases that were closed this year.

“As an inspector, I don’t even want to read this because there is so much work that goes into this,” she said with tears.

One of the cases, opened in 2019, was of abandoned pigs, and a few of them had already died when she arrived on the scene. Another case that was closed included the one where greyhounds were rescued at a petrol station in a severely neglected condition.

As Van Straten spoke about the last case, she could not stop the tears.

“Bones was a typical informal settlement dog that was emaciated and had severe infections in his genitals. He had many other complications. I went out of my way to compile his docket, including his vet statements. It was one of the best dockets I had ever compiled, but just like the other cases, it was ruled as extenuating circumstances,” she explained.

This year, the SPCA had no successful prosecutions, with one case lost.

*This article was amended after it was published. The original version stated that the RandWest SPCA is in crisis, citing no convictions, a R300 000 shortfall and over 3 000 animals taken in, as revealed during the recent AGM. It also stated that the SPCA ended the financial year with a deficit, reporting an income of R2.8 million and expenses of R3.1 million for the 2024/25 year. However, the RandWest SPCA has since clarified to the Herald that the actual shortfall is R40 000. They explained that the income of R2.8 million and expenses of R3.1 million reflect combined figures over two years, not solely for 2024/25. For the year 2025 specifically, the SPCA incurred a loss of R40 000. Apologies for any confusion caused — Ed.