About Us

An insight look at the team behind SPCA Middelburg

How it started

The Middelburg SPCA Story

The Middelburg SPCA started in the early sixties. 

The oldest employee at the Middelburg SPCA is Seargent Msiza – who is our driver, and who has been with the Middelburg SPCA for 40 years.

We have currently got one Senior Inspector and one trainee Field Officer – both attend to cruelties, pro-actives, routine inspections as well as home checks for adoptions.

We have facilities for stray and unwanted animals – only cats and dogs, and then boarding facilities.

Our busiest period is during December – when we have the most stray and unwanted animals coming in, as well as boarders.

We rely on donations from the public – this pays for repairs to the kennels, the daily running of the kennels, and to pay the staff. Our expenses are always higher than our income – and we appreciate every donation that comes our way.

The SPCA is there to ensure the wellbeing of all animals and to prevent cruelty from taking place.

The top priority of the SPCA is going out and attending to cruelties, as well as doing pro-actives and routine inspections. Though we do adoptions, that is not the core function of the SPCA – and home checks get done once cruelties have been attended to.

Occasionally there are emergencies, where our Senior Inspector and or Trainee Field Officer has to go out and attend to, to prevent any animals from suffering.

We try to educate the community on how best to care for their animals, and if anyone is not able to care for their animal anymore – are more than welcome to bring the animal to the SPCA.

Due to the fact that we are not allowed to turn any animal away, this also results in countless animals constantly coming into our kennels – and to be able to keep space open for any incoming animals – the sad reality is that we also have to euthanize healthy animals if they are not able to get homes. We regularly get picked on by the public due to this, as well as not being able to home in certain areas. We get about 3 000 + animals in a year.

Keeping an animal in a cage for long periods of time is also considered cruel, and definitely not a life for an animal. Euthanaze is not the worst thing that can happen to an animal – our Inspector and Field Officer have to view cruelty on a regular basis.

Our Inspector and Field Officer has a large area to cover, and at times it feels like not enough is being done – it is an endless and thankless job.

With this being said – we urge the community to make sure that they are able to care for the animals that they take into their homes, having an animal is a responsibility and at times – a costly one.

We are governed by the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty Act 169 of 1993 and all qualified inspectors enforce the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

Mission

The Middelburg SPCA’s mission is to be Visible, to be pro-active, to educate, to help those in need, and to care for all animals. The Middelburg SPCA believes in the Five Freedoms which is also embedded in the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour. Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. Freedom from pain, injury or disease – by prevention, rapid diagnosis and treatment. Freedom to express normal behaviour – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind; and Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Vision

We strongly believe in been Pro-active instead of Re-active in preventing cruelty to all animals. Education to be given to caregivers, people in a position of authority to pass onto the next generation for the wellbeing of all animals.

Core Values

The SPCA believes that every living creature has intrinsic value and a sentient being. Our primary and motivating concern is the prevention of cruelty to all living creatures and the promotion of the humane treatment of animals through leadership, education and law enforcement.