Animals in Distress are in need of donations for sterilisations
VORNA VALLEY – With the country in lockdown since March, funding from donors has decreased significantly, which has resulted in financial restraints.
The Society for Animals in Distress is in need of donations to sterilise the animals in the shelter and those brought in by pet owners.
The society’s role is to drive access to veterinary care for animals owned by individuals with a minimal to no income.
When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the nationwide lockdown in March, many businesses and companies could not operate under lockdown regulations. The society had methods of fundraising in place but have since been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Heather Robertson, executive general manager of the society, said things had been difficult during the lockdown, with their ‘public fundraising opportunities and champion-led events being cancelled’ and the retrenchment and retirement of five staff members, the loss of casual support labour and the reduction of hours for one staff member.
“The lockdown period has been hugely impactful on our finances as our donors experience reduced household disposable income,” she said.
“The cutbacks we have made seriously impact our capacity to deliver services and as such we have had to consolidate 80 per cent of our efforts at our facility, servicing other organisations to mitigate their lack of funding.”
To date, the society has sterilised 400 animals from multiple organisations in the months of May and June, according to Robertson.
“The stretching of donor funding within the animal care sector was our main priority. Our sterilisation pricing at R300 per animal has enabled in excess of double the amount of animals receiving the surgery.
“Our special prices for the months of May and June will increase to R450 as of the 1 July, which will still allow on average two sterilisations for the price of one,” she said.
“The public can get involved by supporting our various online catalogues, donating pre-loved items and books in good saleable condition, directly donating to our cause and by offering their competent services and assistance with our fundraising capacity.”
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