UPDATE: Public responds to crisis at Highveld Ridge SPCA
"The animals have food and the staff will be able to keep them warm and safe."
Update at 3.15pm
The public outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
From financial contributions paid directly into the Highveld Ridge SPCA’s bank account, to cash donations, food for the animals, to clothing and bedding for the survivor, local residents have come out in support of the SPCA.
Large bales of animal food have been delivered, as the entire storeroom was burnt to the ground.
Donations of dog and cat food have been pouring in at the various donation drop off centres around town.
The Highveld Ridge SPCA is now in need of a storage area to keep the large amount of dog and cat food donations safe.
According to Ms Jenneth Geel, senior inspector at the Highveld Ridge SPCA, the overwhelming public support is appreciated.
“The animals have food and the staff will be able to keep them warm and safe.
“We will have to rebuild and that takes time and money, but I have faith in our community.
“I know they will make this a priority.”
Update at 9am
This morning’s fire at the Highveld Ridge SPCA has destroyed the living quarters, storeroom, treatment room and kitchen.
An SPCA employee living in the quarters has not only lost a colleague in the fire, but also all his earthly possessions.
He is in desperate need of warm clothes (medium).
The SPCA also urgently needs the following:
• construction materials,
• tools,
• kitchen appliances,
• bed,bedding and furniture,
• livestock feed,
• cat and dog food,
• leashes,
• shampoo,
• dog bowls
• blankets for animals.
A spokesman for the SPCA said: “The staff are extremely traumatised by the death of their colleague.
“The young man who passed away was a loved member of the Highveld Ridge SPCA team.
“The man who survived the fire, is an SPCA caregiver and is especially in need of trauma counselling.
“An arson investigation will be launched as part of the usual process of investigation and we are waiting for the arson sniffer dog to arrive.
“The preliminary comment from the fire department indicates a possible electrical fault, but cannot be confirmed yet.”
Donations can be made to the following account: First National Bank, Highveld Ridge SPCA, Secunda branch code 271444, account number 6221 863 7489.
Update: It has been confirmed that one person has died in the fire that has destroyed the living quarters at the Highveld Ridge SPCA early this morning.
The fire has been extinguished and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
EVANDER – A large part of the Highveld Ridge SPCA has burnt to the ground.
The area most affected is the living quarters.
The majority of the animals are housed in kennels detached from this area and are safe at this moment.
The fire department is on the scene.
One man is unaccounted for thus far.
The cause of the fire is yet unknown.
