Fund crisis leaves SPCA in ‘precarious’ position

THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says it is in a ‘precarious’ situation over monies owed to them by the eThekwini Municipality.

According to Durban and Coast SPCA general manager Caroline Smith, R12.8m is owed to the SPCA in Durban, Amanzimtoti and Kloof for services rendered, including the care of tens of thousands of stray animals.

The monies, which have been unpaid since 2021, have put additional strain on the SPCA who are reliant on public donations.

Smith said the non-payment of the monies owed falls foul of the Pound Act, which is in place to provide shelter to stray animals and to prevent and control diseases like rabies.

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“The SPCA is the eThekwini Municipality’s officially registered ‘Sole Service Provider’, and the City has a legal obligation to provide an animal pound. This is achieved through service provision by the three SPCA branches, Durban, Toti and Kloof – who take in strays on their behalf. Running a City Pound is not the SPCA’s core function. It is a service provided so that the City can comply with the Pound Act, as well as prevent the spread of disease.

“The monies remain unpaid since 2021, and we have not received a cent. Efforts to gain clarity on the status have recently been met with baseless claims by the City of ‘non-compliance’ by the SPCA, while our three branches struggle to carry the costs – which run into millions of rands per annum – to care for tens of thousands of stray animals. As an NPO reliant on public donations, the effect is devastating,” she said.

Smith added that despite the lack of funding, the association strives to continue providing shelter, food and veterinary care for stray animals, as well as maintain their other essential services.

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“We are more than happy to provide our service to the City. We know we have the correct resources, equipment, skills and the expertise to handle animals humanely. The animals’ welfare is our primary concern, and our ethos is to never turn animals away. But we are covering that cost. The status quo is simply unsustainable. We need urgent intervention,” she said.

Smith said residents who are willing to help can donate by visiting www.spcadbn.org.za.

Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman said she had already written to the Deputy City Manager responsible for Community and Emergency Services, Dr. Musa Gumede, in which the situation of non-payment has been raised, and it has been advised that the matter is now with the bid adjudication committee (BAC).

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