For Annecia le Roux, leaving the Springs SPCA is about more than saying goodbye to a job. It means leaving behind people who became family, countless memories and animals whose lives she helped change.

After years of serving the Springs community as manager and inspector, Le Roux has moved to Cape Town to pursue a new professional opportunity while also attending to family commitments.

Looking back on her time at the organisation, she told the Springs Advertiser that it was the people, the challenges they faced together and the difference they made in the lives of animals that would stay with her.

“When you spend years at a place like Springs SPCA, it becomes part of who you are. It was never just a job.

“It was hard work, but looking back, I’m just proud of what we built and how we stuck together through some really tough times,” she said.

She explained that her work brought her face-to-face with the harsh realities of animal cruelty and neglect, but it also gave her the opportunity to witness animals recover, regain their confidence and find loving homes.

Le Roux added that her love and respect for animals initially drew her to animal welfare, but it was the animals themselves that kept her committed over the years.

ALSO CHECK: WATCH: Self-taught teen unlocks new level as game developer

“Once you see the sheer level of need out there, you realise somebody has to step up and do something about it. What keeps you going year after year is the animals themselves. They don’t give up, so you don’t give up either,” she said.

Her years at Springs SPCA were filled with moments she will not easily forget. Among them were the rescue of a zebra in Dal Fouche and the response to a truck rollover on the R50 near Delmas.

Le Roux indicated these incidents were a reminder that no two days in animal welfare are the same. Alongside emergency call-outs, she had to ensure the branch continued running smoothly, with staff, resources and animal care all needing attention.

But it was often the smaller victories that meant the most. She recalled the satisfaction of seeing a frightened dog slowly settle into a safe environment and eventually find a home where it could be loved.

She said that for her, there was nothing more rewarding than watching an animal arrive at the shelter scared or withdrawn, only to regain its spirit through the care of staff and volunteers.

“Seeing that change in their eyes when they finally realise they are safe, and then watching them walk out those doors with a family who will cherish them forever, that magic is indescribable,” she said.

She added that educating residents and children about compassion and responsible animal care was equally important, as it helped build a community that understood the needs of animals.

While the happy endings made the difficult days worthwhile, she acknowledged that the job came with an emotional burden.

ALSO CHECK: Gauteng Road MEC proposes technical committee for driving schools to address challenges

She added that compassion fatigue was a real challenge and that the work taught her how to protect her own heart without losing the empathy needed to help animals.

“The heartache can be staggering. But you learn that you have to protect your heart while keeping your empathy fiercely intact.

“You realise you cannot carry the whole world, but holding onto that empathy is precisely what keeps you fighting for the animal right in front of you,” said le Roux.

Le Roux emphasised that the Springs community played a major role in helping the organisation continue its work with donors providing food and other essential supplies, making their contributions vital to the animals’ daily care.

For her, the support showed that the responsibility of protecting animals did not rest with the SPCA alone but with a community willing to get involved.

As she has left, she expressed that she would miss the staff, committee members, volunteers and residents who stood alongside her through the good and difficult times.

“I will miss our staff, committee and community most of all. Calling them just ‘people’ doesn’t do them justice, because they truly became family. We weathered the storms, celebrated the wins, and carried each other through the hardest days,” she said.

Le Roux thanked the Springs community for trusting her and supporting the organisation whenever help was needed. Her message to residents was simple: continue supporting the SPCA and the animals that depend on it.

“As I step into this next chapter, I want you to know that Springs is still in good hands. You can trust that the legacy we have built together will only continue to grow in strength. Please keep backing the SPCA, because the animals will always rely on this community’s incredible heart,” she said.