AS the volume of animals needing care is increasing daily, the Lower South Coast SPCA plans to expand.
SPCA manager, Michael Muller, who is enthusiastic and highly driven, has three main projects he plans to roll out this year.
The first big plan is to open an animal hospital, which will consist of an x-ray room, two consulting rooms and two theatres.
Mr Muller said the SPCA had outgrown the clinic, and a house on the SPCA’s property will be converted into an animal hospital.
He said their main focus will be the rural sterilisations as the current clinic cannot cope with the demand.
The new building will also prevent any diseases from spreading.
“We need to get the hospital built by the end of June,” he said.
Mr Muller said the SPCA would start renovating the building and was currently looking for corporate sponsors to raise about half a million rand.
Reflecting on last year’s statistics, Mr Muller said the SPCA collected 2161 stray dogs, attended to 1017 inspectorate cases such as cruelty, while 2 968 animals were assisted by the clinic.
The kennels are also in need of an upgrade, and Mr Muller has grand plans to tile the walls, epoxy coat the floors and replace the old wire structures to a more ascetical and maintenance friendly PVC.
This has to be done to the 160 kennels currently built on the property, some dating as far back as 1971.
This upgrade will cost in the region of R700 000
The newest inspector, Lucky Jali, will head the outreach project. Mr Jali will be responsible for the routine prevention of animal cruelty.
He will also be involved in dipping, vaccination and sterilisation of animals. He will also help to educate schoolchildren and communities.
Mr Muller believes that the only solution to curb the high number of unwanted animals would be to increase the numbers of animals sterilised every month.
The new hospital would enable staff to sterilise an additional 70 to 160 animals a month.
If you would like to become more involved in the SPCA, why not sign up as a member.
You can also donate any unwanted goods to the charity shop.
Contact the SPCA at 039 3173362.
