Senior inspector Stephen Maila of the Sandton SPCA has been at the organisation for more than 15 years.
Starting out at another branch, Maila has been an inspector since 2006 and is still as passionate since he began.
“I’ve been part of the furniture here at the Sandton SPCA. I started at the organisation many years back as a volunteer. I learnt everything about it, from the policies to the objectives. At the time I was this young boy from the township of Tsakane in the east of Joburg, about 14 years later here I am a senior inspector,” he said.
He added that his role as an inspector was to ensure that the needs of the animals being adopted were met.
“My job is to go out and educate people in the community, you know children and adults with complaints – cruelty complaints, pre and post home inspections when adoptions are done and check that the animals needs will be catered for with love.”
Maila said there was a huge influx of lost animals going through Sandton SPCA’s doors.
He added that in terms of animal legislation, one of the main concerns was the control and registration of dogs and cats.
“I support the notion that each and every dog and cat must be registered. We need to have those laws passed and have stronger regulations to give people permission to own pets. We should know the numbers and I think if that can change it will impact society positively in terms of overpopulated cities with cats and dogs.”
He mentioned that one of the biggest lessons he had learnt on his journey was to be more compassionate. The community needed to understand that animals should also be treated with respect.
“For some of the good work that we do within the community, we also need the support of the community. We would like to see more community intervention for some of our projects and more fundraising initiatives. For people who want to join the organisation, they need to be passionate about animals.”
The inspector said for some it was a calling and passion was part of the job. He intends on growing with the organisation and fulfilling a dream of becoming the general manager in the future.
