uMngeni SPCA was delighted to acquire a dental machine, towards which Dr. Nicky Topp generously donated R15,000. Then came the dilemma of where it could be housed; the equipment is high-end technology and ideally requires a clean, self-contained space to maintain quality of operation. But uMngeni SPCA’s Clinic building had no available space that met these criteria.
uMngeni Chairperson Monika Holst elaborates, “We looked beyond the Clinic building and examined the possibilities within the Kennels administration building. With imaginative reassignment of space and relatively minimal costs of drywalling and electrical installations for plugs and lighting, we have nearly completed the internal reconfigurations at a very reasonable cost. From the large but impractical room historically deployed as a “library” but serving little functional purpose, we now have 2 separate offices for our Retail Manager and Inspector plus a simple but functional boardroom which seats up to 12. The Spice Box installed stylish new aluminum window frames and glass in the offices and a glass door in the boardroom at no cost, for which we are immensely grateful.”
“Accounts was then moved into the Inspector’s office and the staff room facility shifted to another area. We were well on our way to reimagining our design plans which will include a Dental Room. During the first internal reconfiguration, one contractor mentioned that after working in the ceilings, we should take a closer look at the Kennel building’s roof.”
Subsequently, several respected local builders examined the wooden truss support structures and the cladding. All the reports were devastatingly unanimous. The wooden roof truss structure is rotten and the corrugated iron cladding severely rusted. It is beyond repair. Replacement is the only option.
After months of restructuring and implementing cost saving measures, the Society’s income streams are beginning to cover their basic operational costs. But not this scale of repair and replacement.
Thus, uMngeni SPCA is facing a significant once-off financial challenge.
Funds must be raised for a completely new roof and necessary internal upgrades and finishes for the extended clinic facilities - Cost R265,000.
Vice-Chair Vanessa Remmington explains the campaign’s concept’s base, “We looked back into history and have borrowed from the pioneer’s tradition of co-operative commitment. The classic example is when a farmer in the area needed a new barn or just a barn roof erected, the entire community arrived on site for a day or more, to tackle and complete the project. All able-bodied men formed the work crew; while the women pooled resources to keep an eye on the youngsters and share the cooking of the meals for the sustenance of all on site. The task was accomplished lickety-split and, more importantly, community “gees” cemented and entrenched.
This concept of communities working together for the good of the whole can be summed up in our local lore of “Ubuntu”.
And so, the idea for our Kennels Roof Raising Fund was laid!
This lump sum will cover the costs of a new Kennel roof and some upgrades in the Clinic.
The Amberfields Social Club Committee, represented by Pauline Dalton, Dot Penny and Monica Ashe (Chairperson) recently raised and presented a whopping R10,000 to the welfare organisation. They have happily agreed that will be the first donation for the Roof Raising Fund. Thus, their challenge to all other residential estates and businesses in Hilton, Howick and surrounds, is now to meet or better their donation, specifically for this fund.
A barometer on the uMngeni SPCA’s Facebook page will track donations as they come in.
How to donate: uMngeni SPCA, Nedbank Branch Code 198765 Account Number 113 379 1700 Reference ROOF and your Name and Mobile Number. If possible email POP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.