Germiston Bedfordview SPCA struggling to keep lights on
"Keeping the doors open has become a huge struggle for us."
Criticism of Germiston Bedfordview SPCA has brought attention to some of the harsh realities faced by the branch due to insufficient funding and support from the community.
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The Bedfordview and Edenvale News / Germiston City NEWS met with the representatives of the organisation on May 17 to understand what can be done to improve the state of this branch for the betterment of animals in need.
As it stands, their electricity supply has been cut off due to non-payment, and their three vehicles are not working due to mechanical issues.
The lack of vehicles also means delays with in-home checks. They are stuck with outstanding fuel and vet bills that they cannot afford to pay.
The branch’s chairperson, Roxanne Bredenkamp, said they are forced to operate without any lights and in turn, it is affecting their landline and work email.
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“We desperately need monetary assistance to pay our bills. We are struggling to keep up with our monthly operational costs.
“If someone would like to pay our electricity bill or any other expenses that would be appreciated,” said Bredenkamp.
The branch urged residents who would like to adopt an animal to visit the SPCA.
“If the animal that you initially wanted is no longer available for whatever reason there are so many other animals available for adoption. Come in walk around the kennels and speak to the staff,” said Bredenkamp.
“The adoption application form must be done in person and an adoption fee must be paid,” explained the newly appointed manager Nkosingiphiwe Sibiya.
During the GCN’s visit to the branch, Janette Naude from the NSPCA was also at the SPCA to inspect kennels following rumours that animals were without bedding.
She said she was happy with the state of the kennels and that the animals were not sleeping on cold cement floors.
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Naude also elaborated that a sponsored kennel will mean the sponsor is financially supporting the kennel, not the animal.
“You can sponsor a kennel for a month or the entire year. We don’t want people to sponsor the animals as we get in a lot of animals per month.
“However, you would have contributed to the upkeep and maintenance of all those animals that would have gone through that kennel. We work on a five in five out rule to be fair to all the animals,” said Naude.
“We want to encourage people to not only form a bond with one dog but come and embrace more dogs that have to be adopted.”
According to the trio, monetary support has dropped significantly over the past two years for SPCAs.
“Almost everyone in South Africa is struggling and people have had to choose whether they pay their bills or make a donation to the SPCA,” said Bredenkamp.
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Naude has called on community members who would like to serve on the committee of the Germiston Bedfordview SPCA board to forward their one-page CV.
“If we have more active committee members it will take the load off the current staff.
“People with the necessary skillsets would make a huge difference in the organisation whether it is a marketing, business, HR or financial skills,” she said.
For enquiries, the branch is reachable at roxannebredenkamp@gmail.com or 082 675 0072.
