Meg Wilson has been appointed as the new general manager of the Sandton SPCA.
Her extensive experience with SPCAs is geared to lead the well-known organisation into a positive future.
Wilson has been involved in the SPCA movement for the past nine years, starting off at the National Council of SPCAs in 2012 in an administrative position.
She qualified as an inspector in the same year, joining the Society Liaison Unit and then managing the Special Projects Unit and later the Public Relations and Communications department.
Having grown up in Lombardy East, Wilson said the Sandton SPCA had been ‘her SPCA’ since she was a toddler.
Wilson said the standout feature of the Sandton SPCA was their dedicated team.
“They do not hesitate to help any animal or person in need, they are not afraid to get their hands dirty and they work incredibly hard. I am both humbled and privileged to work with each one of them,” said Wilson.
She explained that her vision for the local SPCA was to expand their reach, improve facilities, improve working conditions for the dedicated team and create a community-centric organisation.
Wilson said the Sandton SPCA’s greatest challenge at present was funding.
“We rely solely on the generosity of the public to keep our doors open. In this incredibly difficult financial time, we have seen a decrease in donations. We really need the community to support us financially.”
Wilson said the SPCA was grateful for donations of food and blankets but also needed monetary donations to keep vehicles running and filled up to reach the most vulnerable animals.
“There is no contribution too small – from 50c coins in our tins to R100/ R1 000/ R10 000 debit orders, we do not discriminate and we are grateful for every cent that is generously given.”
Locals can also donate their skills, for example, a handyman to repair kennels or a painter to give the facilities a facelift.
Wilson believed that there was an undeniable link between cruelty to animals and violence against people.
She emphasised the importance of the SPCA saying, “Animal abuse very nearly never exists without human abuse. When crimes against animals are investigated and action is taken, it has a ripple effect and either bring to light domestic abuse or other crimes, or it prevents these crimes from happening.”
Wilson said the SPCA was also the only organisation in the country that was obligated by law to take any animal that showed up at their door.
“Where other organisations turn animals away, the SPCA will always be there for the lost, abused and unwanted animals.”
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