Deur Mwill 08 September 2016 06:00

WELKOM SPCA inspectors Kingsley Nkala (left) and Catherine Ramaime. Photo: Marti Will

THE Welkom SPCA will have to close its doors in two weeks’ time. There are not enough resources financially to continue to serve the community.

“Our SPCA covers a vast geographical area. We are absolutely inundated by animals. We receive no government funding. We receive no municipal funding. We are solely reliant on our community and supporters for financial assistance. We have a huge financial burden, a burden which has escalated into a desperate situation,” says Sue Douglas of the Welkom SPCA.

The Welkom SPCA serves a huge area which includes Bultfontein, Odendaalsrus, Allanridge, and even Bothaville.

There are only two qualified animal inspectors working at the Welkom SPCA.

“The task at hand is huge and emotional. Not only do members of the committee and staff members have sleepless nights over the enormous number of animals being taken in by the SPCA. We care for and protect all animals.”

The SPCA inspectors are called upon at all hours of the day and night to respond to domesticated animals, wild animals and even farm animals that are in distress.

“We may never turn an animal away. This includes farm animals, and even wild animals.”

Last year the Welkom SPCA took in 1 690 dogs and 982 cats.

“We attended to 35 farm animals in need after motor vehicle accidents and a number of wild animals that also needed our assistance. The poisoning of dogs has escalated as crime increases. We had more than 60 cases of dog poisoning in the last year. While we value and treasure the support we are already receiving, we simply do not have enough resources financially to continue to serve the community of Welkom.”

Douglas says the closure of the Welkom SPCA will be devastating to the ­community.

“Where will all the animals go? We have no municipal pound in the area and the municipality refuses to pay the SPCA for the pound services rendered. We received payment in 2012 and not a cent since, yet we continue to serve the animals.

“Numerous meetings and letters begging for payment have been ignored and the Welkom SPCA is now hoping that the members of the Welkom community will step forward and support the SPCA.

“The SPCA belongs to the community and the animals have no one but the community to rely on. Please support your local SPCA. It is the right thing to do.”

The backbone of the SPCA, its committee, is elected by the community.

The annual general meeting will be held on 15 September at 18:00 at the Goldfields Casino.

The public is encouraged to attend and be part of bringing about change and saving the SPCA from closure.

“We are begging Welkom and its community on behalf of all the furry souls to please save the Welkom SPCA from closing down.”

For any enquiries on how you can get involved to prevent the SPCA from closing its doors, contact the SPCA on 071-403-4876, call Douglas on 083-444-0158 or email her at dug@phakisa.co.za.

http://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Vista/Nuus/spca-facing-closure-20160907-2