South African SPCA branches have been hit hard by the recession with a nationwide decrease in adoptions and donations and an increase in abandoned pets. Despite this, the Grahamstown SPCA seems to be doing better compared to nearby towns.
South African SPCA branches have been hit hard by the recession with a nationwide decrease in adoptions and donations and an increase in abandoned pets. Despite this, the Grahamstown SPCA seems to be doing better compared to nearby towns.
Grahamstown SPCA chairperson, Brenda Lisk, said “We’ve been slightly affected [by the recession], we have had cases where people can no longer afford to look after their animals, who have become unemployed. However adoptions are stable, we haven’t seen a recent increase or decrease.
Our workload seems to be going up but that’s because people are becoming more aware of what we do.”
Chairperson of Port Alfred and Ndlambe SPCA, Rudene Gerver, said “Before the recession, we could do a huge fundraiser but now we have to do small fundraisers so that it doesn’t take too much out of people’s pockets.”
She said she has seen an increase in the amount of people who approach them for help since the recession.
“A lot of people aren’t able to take care of their animals and more people aren’t able to
take care of their veterinary bills.”
Donations and adoptions has decreased and animal abuse had increased. “Often when people are struggling they take out their frustrations on animals.”
Chairperson of King William’s Town SPCA, Annette Rademeyer, said they have been hit fairly hard by the recession.
“People have less disposable income so donations are very few and far between. This affects our cash flow and also negatively impacts on paying staff salaries, keeping our vehicles on the road and paying our day-to-day running costs.
On the plus side, we had held some food collections to which the public have responded positively.” General manager of East London SPCA Lionel Taylor said donations have decreased as companies are not giving as much money as before.
However, he said he has seen a slight increase in adoptions. Rademeyer said many people mistakenly thought that they are assisted by the government and the municipality.
She said “Every cent that we need to run the shelter is raised by a voluntary committee and we owe so much to the local community and businesses in King William’s Town who have been so kind to us during this period. We are not out of the woods yet and desperately need assistance.”
