AN intervention by the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, curbed the risk of closure for the Uitenhage SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) after he handed over a 12-month lease extension on January 10.
This means that the extension of the lease ensured that it will now be legally possible for the municipality to pay the SPCA for services rendered and that its operations can continue unhindered.
Late last year, the SPCA was facing challenges with receiving payments from the municipality as a result of administrative problems.
Towards the end of last year, Bobani took it upon himself to ensure that they receive payment for services rendered through the animal pound. If they had not received the payment, the facility would have stopped operating.
The closure would have meant that the SPCA could not collect and keep the stray and abused animals that they receive and collect throughout the city.
Accompanied by Mayoral Committee Member for Public Health, Yolisa Pali, Bobani also took the opportunity to inspect the SPCA premises and get an idea of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The SPCA facility receives more than 30 animals every day. Some are not in a healthy condition. The facility is expected to feed them and take care of their well-being and provide medical attention.
During the walk-through, Bobani could see how the SPCA help animals and the kind of accommodation they provide these animals with.
“It is so sad to see that there are so many animals who are abused, neglected and forgotten. They cannot look after themselves and so we must look after them. We as a metro are committed to ensuring that the SPCA is here for the animals and that they have everything they need to take care of them,” Bobani said.
Bobani has also personally donated 150kg of dog food to the Uitenhage SPCA and will continue doing so for the next six months.
Member of the SPCA governing body, Attie Erasmus, said, “We, here at the SPCA, are so grateful for all the effort you have put in to ensure that the administrative challenges were overcome so we could receive funding. It warms my heart to know that the lease has been extended and that we will be able to continue helping these animals in need.”
