Lifesaving repairs restore Sandton SPCA’s ability to reach animals in need
With two critical vehicles restored, the Sandton SPCA is back to responding swiftly across 176 suburbs, all thanks to generous local support.
The Sandton SPCA’s ability to respond swiftly to animal cruelty and emergency cases has been given a vital lifeline, after two of its heavily relied-upon inspector vehicles were fully repaired through the support of residents, local businesses and community leaders.
For an organisation responsible for animal welfare across 176 suburbs, reliable transport is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
The SPCA’s inspectors use their vehicles daily to rescue injured pets, investigate cruelty complaints and collect abandoned animals. But with several vehicles more than a decade old, keeping the fleet operational has become both expensive and unpredictable.
Read more: Two Sandton SPCA vehicles repaired, rescues across Sandton back on track
Sandton SPCA general manager Stephen Maila said the recent repairs have arrived just in time. “Some of our vehicles are as old as 16 years, and many were donated as second-hand. They are on the road every day, attending to situations where an animal’s life may depend on us getting there quickly,” he said.
“Maintenance costs are high, and constant breakdowns can disrupt our work. Thanks to EcoTabs and the community, two of our vehicles are now fully operational and reliable for at least another 20 000 km.”
The repairs were carried out by EcoTabs, a bioremediation company that assessed the vehicles and funded the full restoration themselves.
The one vehicle, a Nissan P200, received extensive mechanical work, from new wheel bearings and belts to brakes, headlights, lock mechanisms and a complete engine service. The other, a Hyundai H100, was also fully serviced, with new braking systems, light fittings and a complete engine overhaul.
Three more vehicles still await assessment, with the SPCA to launch fundraising efforts to restore the remaining fleet.
Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan, who has played a key role in supporting the SPCA through various initiatives, said the repairs reflected a deep, shared commitment to animal welfare.
“A long-standing commitment to caring for those who cannot speak for themselves has guided every effort to support the SPCA,” she said.
Also read: Sandton SPCA water supply runs dangerously low as borehole pump fails
“From Mandela Day drives to Heritage Day donations, residents and businesses have consistently stepped forward. This latest collaboration again shows what we can achieve when we work together.”
The partnership comes during a challenging period for the SPCA. Early in 2025, the organisation found itself without its annual City of Johannesburg grant, funding that enables SPCAs to operate as pounds.
Only after persistent engagement, including intervention from Coogan, was the grant finally paid in February. Even so, the grant covers just 20% of the SPCA’s operational costs.
Maila said the organisation was still working toward a more sustainable solution for its transport needs.
“We’ve looked at different options, the best one is to replace the old fleet with a new one, and we know that for at least five years we don’t have to worry about fixing, repairs and maintenance.
“The second option is repairs and maintenance. If we can’t get a fleet replacement, we have to have enough funds for the maintenance of all the vehicles. So, the community and corporates can help us fundraise for the new vehicles, donating new vehicles or donating towards to costs of maintaining the current fleet or towards budgeting to buy new vehicles.”
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