SpCa launches operation Kindness

The Pietermaritzburg SPCA has launched Operation Kindness, a fundraising initiative aimed at uniting the community and the SPCA.

Founded in 1906, the Pietermaritzburg SPCA is one of the oldest in the country, and has been running for almost a century. This year, the SPCA has increased financial burdens worsened by the lack of fundraising opportunities as a result of the lockdown.

Under the management of Roland Fivaz, many plans are afoot to repair and fix up the premises that are beginning to bear the visible signs of its age, but the SPCA cannot carry these costs themselves.

From November to the end of January 2021, Operation Kindness is the organisation’s fundraising initiative which appeals to the community and local businesses to contribute services or monetary donations to the SPCA’s projects.

One such project is sponsoring the building of a permanent puppy structure from scratch, which is one of the big projects the SPCA is currently embarking on. The existing puppy kennels block has never been replaced, and is in need of urgent restoring. The process is a costly one, and in an attempt to appeal to the community for funding, the SPCA is calling for businesses or individuals to sponsor the cost of a kennel. In exchange, the sponsor will get to name the kennel as well as have a sponsorship acknowledgement placed on the kennel.

For anything from R300 per month individuals or businesses can contribute to maintaining a kennel and receive a plaque on the kennel door in their honour. The plaque can be used either for business advertising or a personal message to a loved one, or pet.

“This makes for a beautiful Christmas, birthday or even wedding gift, and could also serve as a memorial for a departed pet. For companies, it is also a good way to advertise while supporting a good cause,” said SPCA fundraising organiser, Michelle le Roux.

Sponsorship money is used solely for the maintenance of the kennels, including feeding and drinking bowls, bedding and chemicals to sterilise the kennel once a dog is adopted. It also covers the cost of equipment such as hose pipes, and general repairs and maintenance.

Packages cost R300 per month/ R3 600 per annum for private individual sponsorship, and R500 per month or R6 000 per annum for corporate sponsorships. Company donations will also qualify for a Section 18 tax certificate.

Local businesses have already jumped on the Operation Kindness bandwagon, offering their assistance to revamp the SPCA premises. Mica kindly donated enough paint to paint the entire reception area of the SPCA office in two lovely shades of blue.

Having paint and no one to paint it, Greene Ladder owner, Wesley Greene, stepped in one day when the rain had prevented his team from completing another job, and painted the interior.

Le Roux said this is what Operation Kindness is all about getting the community involved in looking after the SPCA, in whatever capacity they can.

For more information on Operation Kindness and how you can get involved, contact Michelle: 082 874 7726 or email fundraising@pmbspca.org.za

Pictured (from left) are Charles Kirton (Mica), Michelle le Roux (SPCA), Wesley Greene (Greene Ladder) and Roland Fivaz (SPCA) in the SPCA’s reception area that recently received a much-needed fresh coat of paint, courtesy of the joint effort of Mica, who sponsored the paint, and Greene Ladder who volunteered to do the painting.