The Grahamstown SPCA was established in a private home in early 1960 and celebrates its 50th birthday this year!
The Grahamstown SPCA was established in a private home in early 1960 and celebrates its 50th birthday this year!
An article in Grocott’s Mail dated 7 July 1961 reported that bequests by the late Mr J K Waterson totalling R19 200 had enabled the SPCA to buy property at Waainek for the establishment of kennels and facilities for its work.
It was a condition of the bequest that the Society provide free humane destruction for animals and that the society employ its first full-time inspector.
After fulfilling these conditions, the management committee was able to use part of the capital of the bequest to further animal welfare work in Grahamstown. This meant it could respond to calls at all times.
The building on the Waainek property was the last of the local toll houses and was once used as a military post.
After being reconditioned it was occupied by the first full-time inspector, Mr B Jorgenson and his family, from October 1963.
The SPCA and Waterson Kennels were officially opened in October 1963 and have been in operation for 50 years.
Today our SPCA employs seven full-time members of staff. We have one full-time qualified inspector, Maloli Dingana, four kennel staff – Bobby, Bonisile, Akhona and Corky; an office/ kennel manager, Yolande Gardner and receptionist Marita.
Our current management committee comprises six people who volunteer their time and services free of charge. We have two vehicles which are used for inspectorate work, education, outreach and day to day SPCA business.
We have a cattery for cats and kittens who are in need of their furr-ever homes, as well as a cat boarding facility.
For the dogs there are an isolation unit and 45 dog kennels. We run small and large livestock pounds on behalf of Makana Municipality.
Our jurisdiction includes Seven Fountains, Salem, Bedford, Fort Beaufort, Alicedale, Riebeek East and Paterson.
We are a non-profit organisation and receive no funding from the national or provincial government, nor the local council. We rely totally on funding from a caring community to protect, shelter, feed and administer veterinary care to stray, abandoned and neglected animals in Grahamstown and the surrounding areas.
Our management committee is hands-on in raising funds towards the running costs of the SPCA.
We do not turn any animals away. No matter what the reason, condition or age, we are here for them. We are on call 24 hours a day to respond to rescues and emergencies involving animals.
We receive tremendous support from the community, our local schools and Rhodes University, with volunteers arriving most afternoons and over weekends to help socialize the animals and groom the donkeys, as well as doing any odd jobs that may need doing.
Gardening, painting and taking the dogs for walks are some of the tasks carried out by the volunteers.
We are currently fundraising for a new isolation unit, as well as a new block of kennels.
Our two vehicles are also in dire need of replacement. Should any private person or business wish to contribute towards our fundraising, they are welcome to email our chairperson Karen Kouari k.kouari@ru.ac.za
