SPCA looks back on a successful year
The society's four charity shops received special mention as a highlight of the year.
The Lower South Coast SPCA’s 48th annual general meeting was held on Monday this week.
Chairman Scott Kvalsvig kept the meeting short and to the point. The current committee was again voted in and will stand for the coming year.
The chairman’s report stated that the society’s biosecurity measures, the subject of a resolution two years ago, had proven extremely successful, with no distemper outbreaks and only a few cases of parvo virus reported.
The society’s four charity shops received special mention as one of the highlights of the year.
It was also pleasing to note that the society now boasted two veterinarians, Dr Blessing Muza and Dr Lethiwe Mthembu; two qualified inspectors, Jacob Maduna and Werner Taljaard and two qualified field officers.
This was the first time in four years the LSC SPCA had had two inspectors. “The inspectors are making the society proud and currently have five cruelty cases pending,” reported Mr Kvalsvig.
The committee reaffirmed its intention to make sure wildlife was cared for as well.
Inspectors caught and released a variety of wild animals, some of which were taken to the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Durban.
Inspectors were working closely with Allan Williams of KZN Wildlife and KZN Stranding Network to assist in this regard.
Unfortunately, Mr Kvalsvig added, more than 100 animals had to be euthanised over the course of the year.
On a brighter note, fundraising supervisor, Dalene Erasmus’s 60th birthday wish was for 60 animals to be sterilised, and this goal was achieved.
The clinic had carried out more than 1 000 sterilisations and 2 500 vaccinations during the period under review.
Mr Kvalsvig said the grim reality of the number of animals being euthanised needed no underlining.
“The ever-increasing overpopulation of animals means that more and more animals come through the doors of the SPCA.
“And with the increasing economic difficulties we face in South Africa, it’s becoming harder for people to look after their pets, and making it less likely that they can afford to adopt.
“The only answer is to stop indiscriminate breeding and make sure that more sterilisations are carried out.”
As space for burials was depleted, it was hoped the incinerator would soon be operational.
Mr Kvalsvig concluded by thanking the community and the society’s volunteers, describing them as ‘our saving grace’.
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