New-look SPCA opening doors for rescue animals
A special general meeting will take place at 18:00 on Wednesday June 15 at Bundu Lodge to elect a new committee and to decide on the future of the Nelspruit SPCA. This introduces a new dispensation for the beleaguered animal rescue organisation.
MBOMBELA – A new dispensation will await the Nelspruit SPCA after the election of a new chairman and management committee this week. However a breath of fresh air is already creating a better life for the animals in its care.
It is clear from the organisation’s Facebook page that a turning point has been reached and that due to newly found sponsors and donors coming on board, as well as the animals being advertised on social media, more homes are being found.
This exposure has much to do with animal lovers and activists like Ms Liezl Barnardo working behind the scenes as well as the unrelenting hard work that the chairman of the Barberton SPCA, Ms Marcel Hoffman, has done in the interim period to keep the animals safe and the organisation running.
The biggest problem at present is the debt to veterinarians which is over R300 000. The SPCA is making a special appeal to animal lovers to sponsor treatment for specific animals like a donkey named Eeyore taken in last week. His veterinary bill is close to R4 000 and an appeal has been made for sponsorship to cover this.
Recently donors has made a great difference to the quality of life for the animals. Paletts have been put in the kennels to keep the animals dry. They have been donated by the Citrus Research Institute and the food has been donated by Master Model, Riverside Mall and Ms Helen Wolvaardt.
Fifteen professional photographers have donated their time over the following four months to ensure that beautiful photographs of the rescue animals will make new homes available to them.
But, it is not all just about a new look for SPCA Nelspruit. During May 2016 it was left without management when the entire committee and chairman resigned with immediate effect. Their reason was that they were upset about an article that appeared in Lowvelder which informed of difficulties at the organisation at that time. An inspection of the Nelspruit SPCA allegedly revealed overcrowding of kennels and cattery facilities, as well as an alleged shortage of funding to pay the staff and cover expenses.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) installed an interim committee at the Mbombela branch to allow it to continue operating. The NSPCA will be paying the staff its salaries since there is no other available funding and a proper handover was allegedly not undertaken by the former committee.
A special general meeting will take place at 18:00 on Wednesday June 15 at Bundu Lodge to elect a new committee and to decide on the future of the Nelspruit SPCA.
• Want to adopt an animal? Please phone 013-753-3582.
