Help the Durban SPCA care for animals this festive season

THE Durban and Coast SPCA, who have dedicated themselves to rescuing and caring for rescued, stray and unwanted animals, are appealing to communities and businesses to consider them when gifting this festive season.

Tanya Fleischer, the SPCA’s marketing manager, said during the festive season, the number of animals being abandoned or handed over to them often increases.

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“Our rescue work doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas. Imagine it’s Christmas Day, and you are at home with your family preparing a festive meal together, playing with the kids, or unwrapping gifts, and the phone rings. ‘It’s an emergency’,” the voice says.

“There’s a puppy stuck down a drain. We can hear it crying, but we can’t get to it. And the cries are getting fainter. If we don’t save it soon, this pup is going to die. Please can you help?

“You’re an SPCA inspector, so you don’t hesitate. You leave your family and your Christmas dinner and rush to the rescue because this is our gift to animals, the promise that we’ll always be there when they need us. Every single day and night of the year, including all through the holidays,” she said.

Fleischer said the festive holiday season is the worst time of year for many dogs, cats and other pets.

“From November till January, our kennels and cattery fill up with thousands of rescued, stray, abandoned and unwanted animals, who are frightened, hurt, sick and starving. All of them just need a little love and food, and a second chance. So, we are saying, please will you help by adding your gift to ours? It is your donations that provide the food and veterinary care that give these animals another chance of a happy life.

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“You don’t have to be there in person, helping our inspectors save lives on the ground or filling food and water bowls and cleaning kennels at our SPCA. Our dedicated staff will be on duty, day and night, all through the holidays, to make sure animals are safe and cared for.

“So will you make this your special Christmas gift to animals? Together, we’ll make sure that no dog or cat is left to suffer or starve during these holidays. Because, as long as there are people who care and are willing to ‘speak’ for them, animals do have a voice,” she said.

If you would like to assist, you can call 031 579 6546 or visit their office at 2 Willowfield Crescent, Springfield Park, from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 15:30, and on Saturday between 08:00 and 12:00.

If you would prefer to donate by direct deposit, please use these details:
Bank: FNB
Branch: Davenport
Branch code: 220226
Account no: 62238932893
Account name: SPCA Durban

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