We would like to thank many people, those who generously bequest monies to our SPCA, those who assist us financially with our fundraising efforts, people who drop coins in our collection tins and give pet food for our animals, our executive committee who steer us, people who volunteer their time for our cause, be it with animals or our retail shops, people who donate books and other items to our shops, people who frequent our shops and the list goes on.
We would like to thank many people, those who generously bequest monies to our SPCA, those who assist us financially with our fundraising efforts, people who drop coins in our collection tins and give pet food for our animals, our executive committee who steer us, people who volunteer their time for our cause, be it with animals or our retail shops, people who donate books and other items to our shops, people who frequent our shops and the list goes on.
We have received numerous posts on social media, as well as calls from the public regarding the uMngeni SPCA not having a resident veterinarian anymore.
Tanya Hughes left our employ in January, emigrating to the UK. We do not have a resident Veterinarian. Dr Megan Dixon is completing her one year compulsory community service at uMngeni SPCA, under the supervision of Dr Mike Thompson.
The core function of any SPCA is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: having a veterinary clinic is a privilege. We receive funding from donors who request that the funds be used specifically to assist animals in disadvantaged communities. There is the assumption that by using the SPCA clinic, the public is assisting with funding it. In fact they are being subsidized by the SPCA and thus it is not a benefit to the SPCA.
Owning a pet is a choice, with huge responsibilities: we have a strict adoption policy. To adopt an animal from us the adoptee must be able to afford private veterinarians. We compete with numerous charities for funds and need to use our limited resources to benefit animals in desperate need of assistance, especially in the low income,rural communities. Dr Mike Thompson has generously agreed to sterilize our animals, and we pay the Pietermaritzburg SPCA for this service. A decision was taken not to employ a full time veterinarian as we cannot afford the salary.
News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.