New committee heads up Lower South Coast SPCA
Next is to get the incinerator, which was given to the SPCA by the Beekman Group in 2016, up and running.
A dynamic new committee is heading up the Lower South Coast SPCA and a lot is unfolding at the society.
The good news is that the 10-member committee is passionate and committed to the welfare of animals.
ALSO READ : URGENT: SPCA left high and dry after thieves make off with pet food
The committee, under chairman Scott Kvalsvig, consists of Denise Nicolson as vice chairman, Ian Ackerman as treasurer, Shirley Elliott as secretary, along with committee members Ayesha Groeneveld, Carla Steenkamp, Alecia Hilt and Pam Kent.
Delegation from National SPCA are Vonny Strachan and Susan Henderson.
Scott said the society needed the community to open their hearts and support the SPCA and the committee during this difficult time.
“It’s the first time the SPCA has had such a large, hands-on committee and each one of them brings to the table so much experience and expertise with regards to animals.
“They are a team full of ideas and energy and have an unwavering love for the animals.
“Our common goal is to give all animals (from pets to farmyard animals) a good quality of life while at the SPCA. Our aim is to make this the best SPCA the country has ever seen,” he said.
The society is, however, currently facing a deficit of R150 000 and is in dire need of funds.
There is also a monthly fuel bill of R40 000 and an additional R18 000 for the bio-security measures they have had to implement during the distemper outbreak.
“We have to keep our field officers on the road as it is important that we are able to respond. There are many animals that need help.”
To make matters worse, one of the field officers crashed an SPCA vehicle while off duty over the weekend.
Scott confirmed that the employee had been charged and would face a disciplinary hearing.
“This incident has brought the society into disrepute, and we are now short of two vehicles. We desperately need a one-ton truck to carry out important outreach work in rural inland areas.”
A top priority on Scott’s to-do list is to install a much-needed water reservoir, together with a high pressure pump, as the water pressure at the Uvongo premises is very low and at times the society has no water at all.
This is estimated to cost about R30 000.
“We need good water pressure so we can clean out the kennels in half-an-hour instead of the four hours which it currently takes.”
Next is to get the incinerator, which was given to the SPCA by the Beekman Group in 2016, up and running.
“We want to make the SPCA as self-sustainable as possible and the incinerator would be a great tool in achieving this goal,” he said.
The refurbishment of the kennels is currently under way and great strides are being made to transform the adoption block and to improve the isolation blocks.
Three rolls of shade cloth, paint, mesh, galvanising paint and cement are needed for this task.
The SPCA was burgled recently and all its dog food stolen. Scott thanks everyone who has donated pet food so far.
How can you help the SPCA?
Become a member, join the High 5 Club or leave a legacy.
And when you spring-clean your cupboards, please remember to donate your unwanted items items to one of the SPCA’s four charity shops!
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