Highveld Ridge SPCA wants to get community involved
New committee consists of younger, professional people.
The Highveld Ridge SPCA recently elected a new committee and they are ready to launch many new initiatives, including a new membership and volunteer programme.
With this membership programme, the committee wants to get the community involved with the SPCA and to give the community a few benefits for being a member.
The members will also have a say in many matters at the SPCA and can give their advice and opinions.
The new chairman of the Highveld Ridge SPCA’s committee, Dawid Viljoen, said many people do not know that the SPCA covers a wide area of towns and is able to help in these areas.
He also said a key priority of the new committee is to create more awareness of the SPCA and its objectives.
The Highveld Ridge SPCA is a non-profit organisation with six staff members and is responsible for 18 towns, namely Secunda, Evander, Trichardt, Kinross, Charl Cilliers, Delmas, Leandra, Standerton, Kriel, Ermelo, eMbalenhle, Lebohang, Kinross, Leslie, Morgenzon, Perdekop, Platrand, Roodebank, Sakile and Val.
The newly elected committee consists of younger people who all have professional careers and a love for animals in common.
Viljoen said the Highveld Ridge SPCA does not only focus on cats and dogs but also handles any other kind of animals.
They also want volunteers to visit the SPCA more often.
Viljoen said it does not mean the volunteers will have to clean the kennels.
The committee needs the volunteers to just take the dogs for walks or play with the puppies.
“Parents can come here with their children to play with the puppies and spend some time here,” said Viljoen.
The SPCA currently also need volunteers to help with things such as money-raising events.
The monthly expenses of the Highveld Ridge SPCA range from R70 000 to R80 000 and the biggest expense is veterinary bills.
Animal food and general supplies at the SPCA are also a constant need and the committee thanked the community for already reaching out to he SPCA.
The SPCA is now part of Sasol’s Sasol for Good programme which means if a Sasol employee gives to the SPCA monthly, Sasol will match the amount and also give to the SPCA.
Donors of the SPCA can also claim tax benefits and get a tax certificate from the SPCA.
The committee urged people to also visit the SPCA if their pets are lost to see if their pets did not end up at the SPCA.
The community can adopt a pet at the SPCA.
For the adoption process, applicants need to fill out an application form and pay a deposit after which a home inspection will be done by the SPCA staff.
The pet’s sterilisation, microchip and the first vaccination are covered by the adoption fee.
The adoption fees ranges from R1 100 to R1 300 depending on the type and size of the pet.
This fee include sterilisation of the pet, a microchip and the first vaccination.
For more information, or to get involved at the Highveld Ridge SPCA, visit their Facebook page or Instagram account at highveldridgespca or contact them at 082 869 2350 or in an emergency, contact 082 222 1122.
If you want to support the Highveld Ridge SPCA or make a donation, you can use this bank account: FNB, Account Number: 622 1863 7489.
