Boksburg SPCA’s Cheer Fund swells to an incredible R101 945

The Boksburg SPCA thanks everyone who contributed to the success of raising approximately R101 945 towards the Christmas Cheer Fund.

The fund ran from December until the end of January.

Maggie Mudd, Boksburg SPCA manager, said the support this year was amazing because more people donated to this worthy cause.

“I must say that the support we received from the public was tremendous because this year we have managed to raise more money than other years,” Mudd said.

“The Boksburg SPCA has been serving the community since 1967 and we have active programmes to protect and uplift the welfare of animals and their people,” Mudd said.

Mudd said the money raised will be used towards the wellbeing of the animals.

• Projects

“It will be used for community safety where we work closely with emergency services to assist in cases where animals are involved, such as animals on the road and highways posing a risk to motorists and pedestrians.

“We then take them to the SPCA where they are impounded and await their owners. In the meantime, as they are in our care we make sure that they are fed and healthy.

“When it comes to law enforcement, our inspectors go out and investigate all reports of cruelty against all animals. If by any chance we see that the Animals Protection Act has been contravened we take those animals in.

“Last year we had five dogs who stayed with us for a whole year while the matter went to court.

“The money will also be used for the veterinary services, which over the years have built up our resources and we have a clinic and a veterinarian to service the needs of the poorer members of our community.

“The clinic is very busy with operations such as sterilisations, wound treatments and vaccinations. It will go towards community outreach. From Monday to Friday we have a mobile unit that goes to areas in Boksburg where people need assistance with their animals but may not have the finances or transportation to get the help they need.

“We provide transportation of the sick or injured, reduce rates of medical assistance, reduce rates of sterilisation, vaccinations at a reduced rate and rabies vaccinations free of charge,” Mudd said.

Other exciting news was that the Boksburg SPCA had two donors who donated R25 000 to the Christmas cheer fund.

The Advertiser found the faces behind the R25 000 donations.

One of them is the late Lynette Burger.

Her sister Noeleen Burger said: “Lynette has always been a champion for animals and dedicated her life to working for those who had no voice.

“She spent many years as a game ranger and manager for the Limpopo Nature Conservation and was heavily involved in the protection of our country’s rhino population.

“Any spare time she had she dedicated it to caring for abandoned animals and strays.

“Lynette was born and raised in Boksburg and tragically passed away on May 2, 2014 at the age of 49 years. She made a specific request in her will that a sizable donation was made to Boksburg SPCA, as well as other animal rescue organisations, once her estate had been finalised, hence the donation of R25 000.”

Meanwhile, the second donation came from West Pack Lifestyle.

They ran a competition where customers could win their share of R500 000 in cash prizes, and if they won they got to nominate their favourite charity and West Pack Lifestyle would match their winnings and donate cash to the cause/NPO (total of R1-million in cash prizes and donations).

Sarah Koekemoer, who shopped at the West Pack Lifestyle Boksburg store at East Rand Value Mall, nominated the Boksburg SPCA.

Cinderella resident Koekemoer who is 72-years-old, said, “I nominated the Boksburg SPCA because they are doing a great job looking after the animals of which some are strays. These animals don’t have anybody or a voice but have the SPCA, they nurture and take care of them.

“I myself am a big animal lover who has a parrot, three cockatiels and four dogs.”