CAPE TOWN - From one horse-drawn animal ambulance and two bicycles in 1900, to a fleet of 24 vehicles in 2022, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (CoGH SPCA) celebrates 150 years of excellent service to animals as the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in South Africa.
Looking back at the rich history of the non-profit organisation, the CoGH SPCA was established in 1872 and founded by the society for SPCA movement in South Africa.
It has survived two World Wars as well as the South African War(Anglo-Boer War).
The CoGH SPCA was one of the main role players in the formation and promulgation of the first animal protection legislation in South Africa, namely The Cruelty to Animals Act, which was passed in 1888.
Between 1896 and 1905, the CoGH SPCA attended to 15 041 animals and 9 044 cruelty cases.
This period reflects the first 10 years of accurate stats, as records prior to 1896 were lost.
Its current property in 1st Avenue and First Road, Grassy Park, was bought for 6000 pounds in 1946.
Humble beginnings saw the only mode of transport being a horse-drawn animal ambulance and two bicycles that were imported from England to South Africa in 1900.
“The SPCA has a good track record when it comes to animal welfare,” said Chief Inspector, Jaco Pieterse.
“We serve and protect those that cannot speak for themselves. Our donors believe in the good work that we do, and without our donors we would not be able to assist animals.
“We will continue to serve, protect and care for all animals.
“The accolade goes to our dedicated staff and, of course, our donors.
Without the staff, we would not be able to deliver the services that we do, and without the donors, there will not be funding for the various projects to continue and we will not be able to employ staff to do the good work.”
Today the CoGH SPCA employs over 150 staff who see 45 000 cases per year on average, of which more than 60% at present are moderate or severe.
The area of operation includes the Cape Town Metropole, and the Stellenbosch Municipal stretching into the Cape Winelands.
By comparison, in the last 10 years, the CoGH SPCA has taken in and cared for over 95 000 stray and 108 000 unwanted animals.
Their hospital has treated over 130 000 sick, injured or dying patients and sterilised over 82 000 animals to prevent unwanted litters.
The inspectorate conducted over a million investigations, which include the investigation of cruelty complaints reported by caring members of the public and proactive inspections at various animal facilities housing or making use of animals, for example, abattoirs, hawking sites, circuses, transportation, pet shops, petting farms to name a few.
The staff remain an integral part of the organisation and the front-line workers bring aid to animals in need.
The service now boasts a fleet of 24 vehicles. It has grown from two inspectors in 1907 to 13 inspectors, three trainee inspectors, two field officers and three collection officers in 2022.
The dedicated team serves an area of more than 3 200 square kilometres to rescue abused, stray and unwanted animals.
“Thank you to all the dedicated staff, Boards of Directors and volunteers, past and present, who have nurtured and grown this organisation to be what it is today” said Colette Mang, CoGH SPCA Board chairperson.
Claire Davidson has been volunteering at the CoGH SPCA for over 23 years.
She says that she started helping in the fundraising office in her teenage years where she became involved with walking the dogs and in the process have adopted four dogs and three cats over the years.
“When you are volunteering in the kennel with the cats and dogs, you can’t help but fall in love with some of them and you end up adopting them.
“The staff who are employed by the CoGH SPCA have a clear vocation for animal care and nurturing and love.
“The work that these people do is phenomenal, it is so much more than just a job, they give everything of themselves to take care of these animals when humans let them down,” said Davidson.
The 38-year-old from Meadowridge, is a bequest member and has made allocations for the CoGH SPCA in her will that in the event of her passing, they will receive a donation as part of her estate.
“One day when I can’t no more, I will leave a gift in my estate, that money will go towards a lot of important projects,” she said.
This year the CoGH SPCA was recognised with the Global Excellence Award as the best Animal Welfare NPO in South Africa in the Pet Product and Services category.
The award follows the publication of the 150 years celebratory article and several innovations launched within the past year.
These include the launch of the SPCA retail store featuring a first of its kind tasting station for pets to choose their own food according to their palate; the recent #DontLoseYourLove microchipping campaign derived from data published by Euromonitor International; and the Rising Stars initiative aimed at bringing service delivery to the people with mobile clinic services in high deprivation areas.
Services offered by the organisation include the investigation of animal cruelty matters reported to the SPCA and enforcement of the Animals Protection Act; hospital services to the animals of impoverished people that cannot afford private veterinary services; and mobile clinics in some of the impoverished and disadvantaged areas. Taking in stray and unwanted animals, educating the youth and communities, outreach projects in impoverished areas, rehoming of stray and unwanted animals.
“The excellent service to animals for the past 150 years would not have been possible without our loyal supporters and animal lovers. For this, we say thank you and we salute you,” said Mqabuko Moyo Ndukwana CoGHSPCA chief executive.
To make a donation to this worthy cause, visit www.capespca.co.za
Cape Times