Maritzburg Sun (South Africa)

Community comes together to make SPCA safe

- Shorné Bennie

After a break-in at the Pietermari­tzburg SPCA businesses and community members have decided to put their resources together to clean up and secure the grounds of the SPCA.

The SPCA has been a target for criminals over the past few weeks, with thieves vandalisin­g the premises to steal copper and steel plumbing.

“They have been accessing the property and they have been targeting the change rooms and areas where there are copper pipes. We caught a suspect trying to get a gate off one of the boarding kennels that is not in use at the moment.

“There was also one of the properties here that was supposed to be used for new inspectors and everything that we had put in there has been stolen,” Collocott said, adding that the SPCA is mainly concerned for the safety of the animals in their care.

The ongoing theft and vandalism has led the SPCA to issue an appeal to the community to assist in beefing up its security, which the community has responded to.

Involved in the cleaning and repairing of the SPCA are local businesses and community members who decided that they want help in the best way that they can.

Mandy Thomlinson, the owner of Gardeners 4 Africa, said that they just decided to come together for the SPCA and assist where they can.

“We saw what happened and we just called on the community to help where they could. With us is Kenny Nhidza of KM Projects, Jaco van der Walt, Jeni Cramer and Andre Maree of Sika Tshani,” said Thomlinson.

Collocott thanked the community for assisting the SPCA.

“We thank all those who have helped and continue to do so,” said Collocott.

If you would like to assist, contact the Pietermari­tzburg SPCA on 033 386 9267.

Donations may be made into the following bank account: Pietermari­tzburg SPCA

Standard Bank

Account Number: 250068052 Branch Code: 057525

Reference: Security

Please use the correct reference (Section 18A Tax Certificat­es available on request)

 ?? ?? Community members have rallied to assist in making Pietermari­tzburg SPCA more secure.
Community members have rallied to assist in making Pietermari­tzburg SPCA more secure.

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