SPCA can't keep head above water

Mahatma Gandhi once said the greatness and moral progress of a nation can be judged by the way in which it treats animals .

That is a principle the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lives by but the organisation is struggling to keep its 94 member societies afloat.

Two months after the closure of the Kungwini SPCA, in Pretoria, bankruptcy has led to the closure of the Breede Valley and Harrismith societies.

National assistant manager Vonny Strachan said: "We do not get any funding from the government and it is becoming very expensive to maintain branches on donations alone."

Western Cape chief inspector Lizl Pienaar said branches depended on the local community for financial support.

"We also need the public as members of branch management committees. There have been people willing to play their part, but not enough."

The Tshwane SPCA in February terminated its contract with the metro, which it says owes it at least R250000 for running the pound, collecting stray animals and carcasses, and enforcing bylaws.

Tshwane SPCA managing director Rick Allan said: "They have not paid for over a year now. We have no help from the government and some municipalities do not do their bit. Closing one branch puts pressure on the others."