SPCA still in a financial bind

HIGHVELD – The local SPCA is still in dire financial straits due to a lack of community funding.

It has received many donations from local residents and every rand, blanket or bag of animal feed helps, but senior inspector Jenneth Geel said the crisis is not over.

“The donations help a lot and our doors are still open, but this is a bigger problem.

“We need residents to continue their support and pledge monthly donations.

“We furthermore need the businesses in the areas that we serve, to understand that their support will make a massive difference.”

Ms Geel is particularly excited about two local residents who have begun a Facebook page to raise funds for the SPCA.

“The response from the public on this page has been good and it helps to know we are not alone.”

The biggest issues for the SPCA still remain medical bills, transport costs and salaries.

“It takes a special kind of person to work here and dedicate themselves to those animals who have lost all faith in humans due to neglect or abuse.

“I cannot expect the kennel manager, groomers or cleaners to come in and continue working if the SPCA cannot at least promise them basic job security.”

The scheduled annual service of one of their long haul inspection vehicles, costs about R11 000.

Without reliable vehicles, the SPCA will be unable to attend to emergencies or do cruelty investigations.

“There have been months when salaries were not paid, because the animals needed food and the cars needed petrol.”

The SPCA has formulated a wishlist that can also be found on their Facebook page, and is prefaced by this quote from Ms Geel:

“We at the Highveld Ridge SPCA are used to working with the bare minimum, money is spent on what animals need before staff and admin requirements.

“This list includes every wish asked from each member of staff, some may appear to be luxuries and they probably are, but it would make staff members’ life a little easier.

“We don’t mind used and second hand goods, as long as they work.

“Our policy is that we are grateful for all donations and what we can’t use at our SPCA, we pass on to other SPCAs.”

The list includes pet carriers, collars, leads, harnasses, teff bales, a pressure washer, tinned food for cats and dogs, puppy and kitten food, long life milk for sick animals, horse, goat and sheep pellets, pig meal, animal toys and old soft toys, cat litter, red top flytraps and five wheelie bins for animal feed, and cat and dog blankets.

The list of cleaning supplies needed to keep the kennels and cattery disease free, includes dish washing soap, washing powder for the daily washing of blankets, bleach, ammoniated cleaner, karbodust tick and flea powder, F10 disinfectant and antiseptic hand washing soap.

For the offices and grounds, the SPCA needs toilet paper (newspaper blocks the drains), black plastic bags, jumbo paper rolls, plastic rakes to clean stables, pick axes, outdoor brooms, indoor brooms and a chest deep freezer.

The offices are in dire need of new Novilon type flooring as the current office carpets are torn and form a nesting place for parasites

A quote was obtained, but at approximately R35 000, the floor repairs are too expensive.

The staff also needs black pens, whiteboard markers, telephones, a switchboard system, lever arch files and dividers, clip boards, printer cartridges (Canon Cartridge 737) and office chairs and a more modern filing system.

The staff would like to have gumboots and safety shoes, gloves for working in water, rain coats and coveralls, outdoor jackets and thermal underwear and socks for nights and early mornings.

The SPCA colours are navy blue and white, but any protective or warm clothing will be welcomed.

The grounds of the SPCA offices and kennels are in serious need of maintenance.

The access road needs to be repaired to make it easier for the public to access the SPCA and to take pressure off the SPCA vehicles.

A proper security fence, parking area and carports will also help to protect the SPCA vehicles.

The kennels are in a state of disrepair and although the staff do their best to keep the animals warm, safe and dry, the floors need to screeded (a levelled layer of material, e.g. cement, applied to a floor or other surface), and the kennel gates and doors must be fixed.

“We would love to have a solar geyser to have some warm water for the animals and a basic public address system would make attending to emergencies and doing outreach work easier,” said Ms Geel.

She emphasised that there have never been any allegations of fraud or corruption made against the Highveld Ridge SPCA.

“We are audited annually by KPMG and every single audit has been clean.

“The money really goes to the animals.”

To become involved with the SPCA and do make donations, contact them at 017 632 2654 or visit the Highveld Ridge SPCA Facebook page.