A sewage spill at JBay Animal Rescue’s charity shop, which is the organisation’s financial lifeline, has resulted in severe damage to much-needed goods and the loss of thousands of rands.
According to chairwoman of JBay Animal Rescue, Jess Naude, the organisation was established in 2013 and consisted of a team of volunteers who rescued and provided care for sick animals and sterilisation to animals from impoverished areas at their clinic in Oceanview.
In addition to caring for animals, the volunteers also worked on educating community members on how to take care of their animals in areas such as Loerie, Thornhill and Kareedouw.
To ensure that they can continue taking care of animals in need, the organisation’s charity shop has helped greatly with their financial needs.
“The charity shop is our financial lifeline as this is where we make money to pay all vets’ bills, dog food, petrol and everything,” said Naude.
In an unfortunate turn of events; the toilet at the charity shop overflowed with sewage recently, due to a blocked sewer pipe.
Since the toilet was adjoined to the storeroom, Naude said that various items at the shop and the carpets were badly damaged.
“We had to throw away everything as the stench was unbearable,” said Naude.
“Besides having to close shop to clean up and with ruined stock, a good few thousand of rands were lost.”
Naude said fortunately with help from volunteers Sandy Young, Dorothy Ellis, Lente Hohls, Audrey Gauton, Jill Penver and Bridgit Talana, who helped clean up, and a quick response from Ward Councillor Mzwandile Yoli, who arranged for immediate assistance, they were able to clean the charity shop.
She said they truly hoped the sewer drainage had been fixed properly so it does not overflow again.
“Our charity shop means the main existence of JBay Animal Rescue,” said Naude.
