Highveld Ridge SPCA looks ahead one year after devastating fire

One year ago the Highveld Ridge SPCA was devastated by a fire that claimed the life of a volunteer and a number of animals.

The community came together and with their help some of the assets lost in the fire have been replaced, but according to Ms Jenneth Geel, senior inspector and manager at the SPCA, they still have a long way to go towards dealing with their losses.

“We all still miss Bonga dearly and question what went wrong that night. We have been able to replace some of our buildings with temporary solutions, but we still look at the empty space where the burnt out building used to stand and regret what we have lost.”

The fire, which started during the early morning hours of the Saturday and destroyed the treatment room, store rooms and staff quarters, also threatened to destroy the heart and soul of the SPCA.

Just a few months before, the Highveld Ridge SPCA faced bankruptcy and was uncertain about their future.

“Somehow, we survived and are still here one year later,” Ms Geel said.

The only thing that kept them going was the knowledge that without the Highveld Ridge SPCA, the animals would suffer.

“The very morning of the fire, we received a call of cattle in distress next to the road and we had to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and rush to the aid of the animals.

“That has somehow been a metaphor for our survival, we are here because the staff have a passion for their work.”

The staff of the Highveld Ridge SPCA have had to come to terms with the loss of one of their own.

They seem to have settled into a new group dynamic, supporting one another and the community and looking ahead at a future that they hope is bright.

New committee

On Tuesday, 25 July the Highveld Ridge SPCA held their annual general meeting and elected a new management committee.

Ms Willemien Steyn was appointed as chairman, Ms Vania Brand is the vice chairman, Mr Madder Steyn is the secretary, Ms Ané Hattingh is the treasurer and Mr Renier Breunissen is the volunteer liaison.

This group of individuals has been with the SPCA for a number of years and their re-election will help with continuity.

As outgoing chairman, Mr Madder Steyn discussed the headway that the SPCA has made in recent years when it comes to public opinion.

“The Highveld Ridge SPCA has been involved in the community long enough for people to realise we are here to help.

“We have increased our presence at markets and with regular open days and the public has come out to our offices and kennels and saw the circumstances that the staff have to work under.

“We will continue to work closely with Kriel SPCA and serve the communities to the best of our abilities.”

He thanked the community for their continued support and invited anyone with questions or queries to contact the SPCA at 017 632 2654.