Local SPCAs in crisis mode
‘If we don’t get funding from the municipality soon, we will be forced to close our doors’ – Richards Bay SPCA’s Anna-mare Coetzee
DESPITE an uMhlathuze Council resolution to acknowledge the SPC’s as service providers in 2013, funding to the cash-strapped organisations has ceased over the past two years.
And as the animal pounds battle to stay afloat with fund-raising initiatives, their monthly bills are soaring for picking up stray animals, putting down injured cattle and carrying out nuisance call-outs on behalf of the City.
After not being remunerated for a R1.4-million bill for services rendered for the past two financial years, the Richards Bay SPCA has since requested that the municipality reverts to adopting them as a grant-in-aid beneficiary.
‘We are operating the pound through public funding and our monthly expenses stand at about R70 000 without salaries,’ said Richards Bay SPCA’s Anna-mare Coetzee.
‘We require about 50-60kg of food per day for our dogs and the kennels are extremely full. We are often called out to pick up stray animals and injured monkeys. Fuel is costly and we incur a euthanasia bill of about R6 000 a month,’ said Coetzee.
City pound
Following a municipal enquiry requesting tenders to bid to operate the City pound, the Empangeni SPCA had sent a comprehensive application, but no response has been forthcoming.
‘If our shop was not operational, we would have closed our doors by now,’ said Empangeni SPCA’s Cheryl Whittaker.
‘But the more we raise funds, the more money is spent picking up strays and euthanize animals on behalf of the municipality. We are running at about R29 000 in losses per month,’ Whittaker said.
uMhlathuze City spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said Council took a resolution to stop the grant-in-aid funding owing to a lack of finances.
‘We note the concern on this matter. We are aware that it was classified under essential services. The municipality will review the matter and communicate with the relevant organisation,’ said Ncalane.
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