AGM reveals tough times and successes at Boksburg SPCA

Despite the pandemic and the resultant effects of the lockdown regulations, the Boksburg SPCA made great efforts to render its essential animal welfare services against all odds.

This was revealed at the society’s July 16 AGM, held at their offices located in Boksburg East.

Delivering his report on the past year, the Boksburg SPCA chairperson Willie du Plessis said the organisation is expected to do much better in this new financial year, considering the plans that it has in place.

During the meeting, du Plessis gave a summary of what has been achieved by the society, and there were discussions on finances used during the previous financial year and matters that the organisation and its members wish to consider.
An announcement of additional board members and new appointments was also made.

Finances
Du Plessis pointed out that overall income increased by 5% and expenses also increased by 5% compared to the previous year.

According to du Plessis, operational costs have been managed with a tight hand but donations are declining, especially from the business community – whether in terms of monetary donations or in-kind through services and goods.
Boksburg SPCA ended on a small surplus largely due to a legacy received.

The chairperson said with the economic fallout post-Covid-19 pandemic, they expected the 2022/23 financial year to be difficult, causing much hardship across all income groups and businesses.
“We envisage it will be harder to access donor funding to increase the services we offer.”

Funds raised during the 2021/2022 financial year show a slight increase compared to the previous financial year. Fundraisings are annually done through the second-hand shop, medical clinic, new homes found, donations, boarding fees and other initiatives.
Although it’s still not enough to meet the growing demand, the good news is that the City of Ekurhuleni has substantially increased the SPCA grant for the 2022/2023 financial year

Challenges
Du Plessis pointed out that the top three of Boksburg SPCA’s biggest challenges still remain:

• To maintain financial improvement and income generation to a breakeven level
• To obtain sustainable support from the community and business community so as to ensure a positive trajectory in the operational aspects of the society
• To ensure that the organisation retains its credibility and reputation in the community.

Operational statistics
The organisation’s 2021/22 stats indicate how busy the society is, and that the need for its services has been growing at an alarming rate. The total admission for the financial year was 4365 animals.

Cruelty complaints investigated: 552
Dogs brought in: 649 strays and 2239 surrenders
Cats brought in: 643 strays and 834 surrenders
Adopted dogs: 410
Adopted cats: 92
Owner claimed dogs: 150
Owner claimed cats: 6
Dogs sterilised for underprivileged owners: 718
Cats sterilised for underprivileged owners: 552

Outreach
Du Plessis said the Boksburg SPCA outreach has grown from strength to strength.

Struggles aside, the organisation seems to have done well when it comes to service delivery throughout the year. It started projects in Reiger Park (since 2021) and windmill Park (this year).

These outreach programmes provide an opportunity to reach families who have no access to animal clinics and they offer education, deworming, tick and flea control, fly control and sponsored sterilisations and medical care.
“A wonderful team of volunteers assist us with our outreach, where on average 100-200 pet owners are seen each week. Subject to finances this is one area we would like to see grow.”

Vet clinic
The Boksburg SPCA has an in-house clinic and it is able to assist the community with vet care and sterilisations at affordable rates.

“We do not have a full-time vet, but have two locum vets, Dr Liané van der Westhuizen and Dr Debz Chetty, who ably assist us Monday to Wednesday and occasionally on Fridays.
The society is going ahead with its recruitment drive for a full-time veterinarian or some locum veterinarians to fill the Thursday and Friday services.

Maintenance
During the past financial year, the society was able to continue with kennel upgrades and society maintenance. This, however, proves more difficult as donor funding reduces.

The organisation managed to maintain the facilities, but more often from its pocket as due to the economic situation, it has been difficult to garner support from local businesses to donate the required money or material.
Despite that, they were able to secure enough funds to complete the project to replace the much-needed boarding row kennel and some other maintenance work that was lagging behind.

Considering the ageing fleet of vehicles and limited resources it has available, the society also needs support to secure at least two vehicles to continue efficiently rendering its service this financial year, as its efforts to get replacement vehicles proved unsuccessful last year.

Staff compliment
The Boksburg SPCA boasts 17 staff members. Its inspectorate comprises the manager senior inspector Vicky Finnemore, inspector Neo Mmoya, inspector Denise Govender and inspector Ralph Chivaviro as well as field officer Melanie Mey.

“Our inspectorate team responds and deals with cruelty complaints and offers education, pro-active, pre-home and post-home inspections in our jurisdiction. From time to time they are called upon to assist NSPCA and other SPCAs in Ekurhuleni”.

Committee
Du Plessis said the committee of six members put in a lot of effort to ensure the smooth running of the society.

“A number of fundraising and income generating initiatives were managed throughout the past year, and these initiatives include the Christmas Cheer Fund, with the funds assisting with kennel and cattery upgrades.
“An exciting initiative was the launch of feral cat spay days with 77 feral cats sterilised during this reporting period.”

Thank you for your support
Du Plessis thanked all for their continued support, but reiterated that the SPCA is always in need of support and more donations.

“Every donation big or small, monetary, cat or dog food, second-hand items for our charity shop, books for our bookshop or other goods has made a difference.

“We would like to give recognition to some businesses whose continual support of Boksburg SPCA requires mention. These include the Boksburg Advertiser, Caltex Sunward Park, The Doggy Parlour, Supaquick Sunward Park, Alair Airconditioning, Bestfence and Netstar.”

The chairperson also thanked their manager and staff for their faithful service.
Three staffers were during the event honoured for long years of service.

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