Update
GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - There has been an incredible response to the published 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.
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.
The donation drive is ongoing 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.
The donation drive is ongoing and those who can spare even just a few rands are urged to give whatever they feel they can afford.
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.
A volunteer has come 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).
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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