SPCA steers ahead amidst difficult times

A total of 4975 animals came through the doors of the Lower South Coast SPCA in the last financial year.

“These numbers increase with each passing year,” said chairperson Susan Henderson at the society’s recent AGM, where a new committee was elected.

These members are Henderson, Cynthia Steyn (treasurer), Yamkela Nduzulwana, Barbara Patrick, Eloni O’Dell, and Nazneen Shaik.

At the meeting, Henderson said the unit successfully rescued and rehabilitated 426 animals, which were sterilised and adopted to loving homes. This is an increase from 396 adoptions in the previous financial year.

“The numbers show that we do not have enough homes for all the animals which come to us. This is the sad fact of our unit, which cannot turn any animal away. Heartbreaking decisions fall on our staff who have healed, loved, cared for, walked, played with and bonded with these animals, which they then have to reluctantly take to be painlessly and gently euthanised.”

Henderson said the trauma the staff go through in this necessary but dreadful part of their work cannot be exaggerated. Yet, instead of praise, sympathy and empathy, staff are far too often the receivers of vile and vitriolic verbal abuse.

The society’s dedicated inspectorate team attended to over 200 cruelty cases and conducted numerous welfare checks, ensuring that animals in the region are treated with the care and respect they deserve.

This includes routine inspections conducted at abattoirs, hawking sites, sale yards, pet shops, breeding facilities, kennels, etc.

Inspector Jacob Maduna opened four cruelty case dockets to date; one was successfully won in court.

The inspectorate team collected 3345 animals during the last financial year, which demonstrates the immense need for assistance in the community. These numbers don’t include veterinary collections.

The SPCA’s area of operation is from Hibberdene to Port Edward, including Harding, Paddock, Mbizana and inland rural areas. With the closure of Kokstad SPCA, the area the society is called to help in is even larger.

More than 1300 animals were spayed and neutered, and more than 2100 animals were given veterinary care via the clinic. They are grateful to Dr Didier Wadima.

Maintenance is ongoing at the SPCA as they try to improve the facilities and to better the lives of the animals in their care. The front area walls were recently painted, which helps to lift the mood and vibe of the SPCA.

This past year has not been easy with the economic climate impacting donations, escalating costs of fuel and essential expenses, and yet an ever-increasing demand for services.

Henderson said that despite this, the team has shown remarkable resilience and dedication.

“We remain committed to finding innovative solutions and establishing new partnerships to help overcome obstacles and continue our vital work. We will continue to prioritise the well-being of animals and strive to encourage a kinder, more empathetic society. I extend my respect and gratitude to Mike Davis and his team for steering our well-loved and needed SPCA through hazardous and often sabotaged waters and to have built it from where it was to what we have today,” she said.

With regards to the financials, Steyn said they managed to make a profit of R943 000 in the last financial year.

While this is an achievement, it’s only enough cash reserves to carry the SPCA for two months, as it costs R500 000 a month to run the LSCA SPCA, with a team of 31 staff.

“Where we could, we have implemented many necessary changes and cutbacks on our expenses,” said Steyn, who is upbeat and positive about the future of the society.

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