“Without the community’s support and generosity, we would be in a far worse place.”
These are the words of Deirdré Swift, the district chairperson of the Uitenhage SPCA.
The Uitenhage SPCA has been experiencing serious financial issues due to a lack of consistent funding from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, since the beginning of the year. And this has made running the animal shelter a strenuous endeavour.
“Our animals on site are all doing well and this is due to the generosity and support we have received from the community. We have been so blessed with so many donations from individuals and companies coming forward,” said Swift.
However, Uitenhage SPCA is still operating under serious strain, as the shelter has been facing financial troubles. Resources at the animal shelter have been spread thin because of winter, as the season requires the shelter to provide more care for the animals.
“We are so grateful to the community and have come out in support of the terrible financial position the Uitenhage SPCA find itself in.”
Despite the efforts made by the community, the Uitenhage SPCA still finds itself in a precarious financial situation.
“We are still not out of the woods; the animals never stop coming in. There are always mouths to feed,” she added.
According to Swift, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality owes the Uitenhage SPCA a whopping R500 000.
Swift stressed that “in anybody’s books, half a million rand is a huge amount, especially for an animal shelter.”
“Getting donations from the community is awesome, but we need the municipality to pay us for us to carry out our mandate, which is taking care of animals in the community,” she said.
Mthubanzi Mniki, Media Management Officer for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, said in response, “We can confirm the outstanding payment of R500 000 to the SPCA. Owing to supply chain management delays in adjusting the contract, Budget and Treasury could not process the payment.”
Mniki further said, “The situation has been sorted and we are working towards processing the payment this month still.”
Swift still urges Kariega community members to continue supporting the SPCA.
- Catmor kitten pellets
- Heavy-duty refuse bags
- Montego Classic small bite puppy pellets
- Automatic washing powder
- Jik
- Kitchen roller towels
- Copy paper
- Donations towards fuel
- Good quality used items for their thrift shop (kitchenware, linen, ornaments, kids’ toys, DVDs, appliances, etc.)
- Grey Stormy blankets
- Any financial assistance to help pay bills, and salaries and buy vet supplies such as dewormers, inoculations, tick & flea treatments, etc.
- For more info contact the SPCA on 041 992 3016.
