The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has announced that the East London and King William’s Town SPCAs are in “dire financial straits” and may have to close.
NSPCA spokeswoman Christine Kuch cautioned their clinics could be the first to cut back services and have to put a “suffering pet to sleep if it has been signed over to the SPCA”.
“It is harsh but the alternative is closure, complete closure. The SPCA cannot afford to treat pets for free”.
This was not “scaremongering or crying wolf”, warned Kuch.
“This a serious situation which is already affecting the ability of both these SPCAs to carry out duties,” reads the media statement, which implored residents and businesses for financial assistance.
Medication and other veterinary supplies cost the two animal welfare non-profit organisations (NPOs) up to R50000 each a month, with only about R5000 of this being recovered because owners could not pay for treatments.
Kuch also decried the expense of running a pound for stray animals, only a fraction of which was funded by the municipality.
“Both SPCAs are now in a position whereby they simply cannot afford to render services such as picking up dogs in the street and taking them into their care.
“Doing so incurs costs as well as staff time.”
King William’s Town and East London chairwoman Annette Rademeyer described the financial status of both facilities as “really dire”.
“SPCA East London is basically hobbling on from week to week, while King William’s Town has a fund-raiser that is helping.
“But the fact is that R6000 of dog and cat food lasts only two weeks and with winter coming, we also have to buy fodder for livestock,” said Rademeyer.
She said members of the public were largely unaware that medications like antibiotics, vaccines and anaesthetics were not government funded.
“We buy them from suppliers and don’t get a discount. East London’s SPCA owes R240000 and King SPCA owes R139000 to the supplier and we must pay that off.”
Rademeyer said while she was very grateful for public support, she was aware that people had less disposable income than before.
“That is why I am calling on service clubs like the Lions, Rotary and the Round Table to help us.”
SPCA East London general manager Allen Westerberg confirmed that the Amalinda NPO was “battling financially” and running at a R500000 loss this financial year.
Cash-strapped SPCA may shut down
NSPCA spokeswoman Christine Kuch cautioned their clinics could be the first to cut back services and have to put a “suffering pet to sleep if it has been signed over to the SPCA”.
“It is harsh but the alternative is closure, complete closure. The SPCA cannot afford to treat pets for free”.
This was not “scaremongering or crying wolf”, warned Kuch.
“This a serious situation which is already affecting the ability of both these SPCAs to carry out duties,” reads the media statement, which implored residents and businesses for financial assistance.
Medication and other veterinary supplies cost the two animal welfare non-profit organisations (NPOs) up to R50000 each a month, with only about R5000 of this being recovered because owners could not pay for treatments.
Kuch also decried the expense of running a pound for stray animals, only a fraction of which was funded by the municipality.
“Both SPCAs are now in a position whereby they simply cannot afford to render services such as picking up dogs in the street and taking them into their care.
“Doing so incurs costs as well as staff time.”
King William’s Town and East London chairwoman Annette Rademeyer described the financial status of both facilities as “really dire”.
“SPCA East London is basically hobbling on from week to week, while King William’s Town has a fund-raiser that is helping.
“But the fact is that R6000 of dog and cat food lasts only two weeks and with winter coming, we also have to buy fodder for livestock,” said Rademeyer.
She said members of the public were largely unaware that medications like antibiotics, vaccines and anaesthetics were not government funded.
“We buy them from suppliers and don’t get a discount. East London’s SPCA owes R240000 and King SPCA owes R139000 to the supplier and we must pay that off.”
Rademeyer said while she was very grateful for public support, she was aware that people had less disposable income than before.
“That is why I am calling on service clubs like the Lions, Rotary and the Round Table to help us.”
SPCA East London general manager Allen Westerberg confirmed that the Amalinda NPO was “battling financially” and running at a R500000 loss this financial year.
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