The Irwin’s Animal Rescue Centre has, due to financial hardship, reached a stage where operational costs have to be drastically scaled down for Irwin’s to survive. The change in our financials has been brought about by unforeseen civil litigation and further costs incurred required to submit a consent use application to the Midvaal Council. Irwin’s was subjected to spending a large amount in securing services of a professional litigator to prepare and submit the application on our behalf, following a noise impact study. We foresee the possible need to spend more money to erect some form of noise reducing structures.
The strategy to ensure our survival is based on the following:
a) The urgent need to re-home 200 dogs by mid-May to reduce operational costs. Regular open days have been planned to encourage re-homing as well as offering the waiver of the adoption fee until further notice. Home inspection will still be conducted before adoptions are approved.
b) The implementation of stringent cutbacks, reducing all operational costs..
c) The raising of an additional R30 000 per month to fund operational costs. Irwin’s will be hosting events to raise funds and get sponsorships for food etc. Please support our Charity Shop in Benoni, 29 Railway Avenue.
We appeal that animal lovers to spread the word of our urgent bid to re-home as many dogs as possible by mid-May 2015. In addition to this, to further develop a broader, more sustainable and reliable income base, which will serve Irwin’s steadfastly in our mission of rescuing and re-homing destitute dogs, for many years to come.
The harsh reality is that if we are not able to achieve these objectives, the current financial position simply does not allow us to continue to operate, even with a reduced number of dogs.
The high standards that have been set over the past three years, of the way that we cared and provided for our dogs, cannot be compromised. When we have reached that stage we will then be regrettably forced to carry through the only unthinkable but remaining option of reducing the quota of dogs in our care by means of euthanasia.
Our centre is open seven days a week, Sunday to Friday 09:30 to 15:00 and Saturday 09:30 to 13:00. Our physical address is 59 Aloe Ridge Drive, Walkerville, Johannesburg.We do not have any puppies.
Please come adopt or bring your friends and encourage them to lend a helping hand. Kindly share our urgent plea for help as far and wide as possible.
Tanya Sequeira, Irwin’s Animal Rescue Centre management – 079 618 5522
