Funding crisis leaves Durban 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 & 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 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.

However, City spokesperson, Lindiwe Khuzwayo said it was inaccurate to say that monies were owed by the eThekwini Municipality.

“The City is aware of the issue raised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). However, it was brought to our attention by the Auditor General and the Bid Adjudication Committee that the SPCA is non-compliant as a service provider and would not be in a position to do business with the City. This matter was therefore brought to the attention of the organisation, and to our knowledge, they have been doing their utmost best to be compliant.

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“In relation to monies allegedly owed, that is inaccurate as there was no memorandum of agreement (MOA) in place. Once the organisation is compliant, we will then work on a way forward in terms of drafting and signing a MOA after all relevant processes have been followed,” she said.

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