‘Without the community… there is no SPCA’

THE recent resignation of former SPCA Chairman, Anton Prigge, after two weeks at the helm, as well as that of two other committee members, has led to the NSPCA assuming the position of Chair at the Vryheid SPCA.

However, the six remaining committee members are fully aware of the responsibility that now rests squarely upon their shoulders and are enthusiastic about the role they will be playing in regaining the support of the community.

“Without the community’s involvement, there is no SPCA,” states recently appointed Vice Chairman, Stephan Vickers, who is confident that the current committee will succeed in creating an organisation that will once again attract the backing of the community it serves.

Following Prigge’s resignation, along with that of Amanda Prigge and Janie Lotter, the remaining committee members maintain that the general feeling among them is that they have lost “members of value” in the departed three. However, despite their resignation from the committee, their support for Vryheid SPCA continues.

“We are still exchanging ideas with them and remain in contact with them,” reported Vickers at a meeting with the Vryheid Herald on Tuesday. “People don’t realise how much time and dedication an NPO like this requires,” he added. “The change from one committee to another takes time and we hope that the public will bear with us as we make this transition.”

The current committee will demonstrate their devotion to the organisation by attending a course later in September to better equip them for the monumental responsibility to which they have committed themselves.

“We would like the public to have a better understanding of the role of the SPCA in society,” he continued. “Within six months, we’d like to have given the SPCA a total facelift,” he adds enthusiastically.

In the interim, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be running the show until an acceptable resolution has been established and has elected to advertise for an Inspector who will cover Vryheid and surrounding areas.

“I have a passion to help,” concluded Vickers, regarding his eagerness to serve the SPCA and his dedication to the plight of abused and abandoned animals and the society that cares for them. “We have been blessed and I feel that, if we get, we must also give…”

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