GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Three weeks ago, the Advertiser published a plea from a former local councillor for funds to assist the Graaff-Reinet SPCA, which is in dire financial need and in danger of closing down.
There was an incredible response, with well over R13 000 being given so far. One donation that particularly moved the former councillor was from a shopping centre parking attendant, who handed over R10. The funding will help with upgrading and reinforcing the security of the property (which has been broken into many times), purchasing animal feed and paying veterinary bills and staff wages, amongst other expenses.
This donation drive will continue, and those who can spare even just a few rands are urged to give whatever they feel they can afford, pop it in an envelope and deliver it to Brian Hough at Die Smous in Somerset Street.
Payments can also be made directly into the SPCA's bank account at ABSA: account name Graaff-Reinet SPCA, account number 1830147795, branch code 632005. The threat of closure is very real, and only last month, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirmed the closure of another SPCA, in Mpumalanga.
Due to lack of support from the local community, the town of Kriel no longer has a branch of the SPCA. The press release issued at the time highlighted the fact that SPCAs around the country depend on their local communities to survive-not only from a financial perspective, but in a management role as well.
Without this kind of support, SPCAs simply will not survive.
Another positive response from an earlier article in the Advertiser has been that a volunteer came forward to arrange fundraising events for the SPCA. Ronel Krige's first event is a raffle of some wonderful donated beauty products, put together to form a Pamper Hamper for Mother's Day.
The prizes, worth almost R2 000 in total, include a pedicure and foot message from Bellafemme, a back, neck and shoulder massage from Réve, gel overlay nails and toes from Simply Nails, Avon products from Ninky Bekker, Ozone treatment from Renew, and Hannon products from Carlin Loots. Ticket for the raffle are R30 each, and six lucky people will win a prize. The tickets are available from Ronel Krige (0731770574), the secretary (0825885900) or at the SPCA Kennels (049 891 0256).
The book sale held last Wednesday morning outside Spandau Spar was a huge success. The SPCA received a lot of donations from the community, both in terms of books to sell, and financially.
Spar's Melanie Jordaan braaing the boerewors.
The owners of Spar made a very generous donation towards the boerewors rolls which Ronel Krige sold at the stall, and Melanie Jordaan from Spandau Spar helped with the wors. The organisers would also like to thank Nicola Beldon from Country Mouse Design for her beautiful posters, which she made at no charge, to advertise the sale. Dallis Graham from Aberdeen made some lovely warm knee blankets to sell, and Jessica-Kate Castelyn made dog and cat treats.
A total of R4 626,10 was raised from this book sale, and the stock left over will provide a basis for future sales in the coming months. The SPCA would like to extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made this possible.
One other way that members of the community can help the SPCA is to become members.
Membership enables a person to choose a committee at the AGM (at the end of June or July) in order to guide the SPCA through these tough economic times. The annual fee is R100 per person.
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