Harare SPCA, Zimbabwe
Donation protected
The Harare SPCA is the oldest animal welfare organisation in Zimbabwe and has been operational since 1911. It is a registered, non-profit organisation and acts as the Official Municipal Pound where all stray and unwanted animals are taken in. Like most charities in Zimbabwe, Harare SPCA operates from hand to mouth relying heavily on the generosity of well wishers and donors without whose help they would be forced to close. The Society receive no grants, subsidies or financial assistance from the municipality or Government.
There is 33 full time staff that work between the kennels and the hospital and the mobile clinic. They care for on average 300 animals between the 2 premises. The staff includes 3 vets, 3 vet assistants, a pharmacist, a receptionist, an admin clerk and a kennel manager and a general manager along with the remainder being kennel hands.
The Harare SPCA operates the largest Veterinary hospital in the country, together with a mobile clinic serving the low income and high-density areas of Harare. On arrival all animals are given a health check by one of the veterinarians, they are fully vaccinated and, if necessary treated for injuries and ailments. Strays spend a minimum of 10 days pound time at the clinic before they are placed into the rehoming kennels where, at any one time, there may be as many as 200 needy animals awaiting a new home. Dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and occasionally the odd farm animal are taken care of by a very dedicated team of staff members.
There are large, shady environmental enrichment areas where the dogs can run around and expend some energy. Regular volunteers interact with the dogs and cats in order to stimulate them mentally and physically and to enrich their lives. They help to socialize the animals to prepare them for new homes. Potential adopters are encouraged to interact with the dogs and cats by spending quality time with them before adoption so that they can choose a pet that is the most suitable for their home and family.
The crippled economy in Zimbabwe coupled with the Covid 19 pandemic, have led to a drastic reduction in regular donations. An alarming increase in the number of animals being surrendered and even more worryingly being abandoned, added to the necessity of locking down the rehoming kennels has resulted in the shelter running full to capacity, increasing the cost of the overall care of the kennel population. The ripple effect of this is that the Harare SPCA is facing a serious shortage of funds for buying the ever-increasing amount of essential consumables and medications for the animals. Many of the drugs needed at the clinic are only available in foreign currency, which is difficult to come by. The cost of running the Harare SPCA rises weekly as goods and services become more expensive due to the devaluation of the local currency.
Before the national lockdown the fundraising committee was ambitiously working to raise much needed funding but has now had to cancel or postpone all of the upcoming regular events, which normally generate income for specific projects, including repairs and maintenance of the facilities and vehicles.
Monies put aside for a growing wish-list of items that would help to improve the veterinary and kennel facilities have had to be redirected to the acquisition of basic necessities and salaries for the staff.
All that is left is to appeal to animal lovers around the world to donate and ensure that the most vulnerable animals in Harare are rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed.
An example of costs –
10 USD / 8 GBP
• Feeds a dog for a 10 days
• Feeds a cat for a 14 days.
• Vaccinates 10 animals for rabies
• 1 dog for their annual 5 in 1
20 USD / 16 GBP
• Neuters a cat
25 USD / 20 GBP
• Spays a cat
40 USD / 32 GBP
• Neuters a dog
45 USD / 36 GBP
• Spays a dog
Please help us?
There is 33 full time staff that work between the kennels and the hospital and the mobile clinic. They care for on average 300 animals between the 2 premises. The staff includes 3 vets, 3 vet assistants, a pharmacist, a receptionist, an admin clerk and a kennel manager and a general manager along with the remainder being kennel hands.
The Harare SPCA operates the largest Veterinary hospital in the country, together with a mobile clinic serving the low income and high-density areas of Harare. On arrival all animals are given a health check by one of the veterinarians, they are fully vaccinated and, if necessary treated for injuries and ailments. Strays spend a minimum of 10 days pound time at the clinic before they are placed into the rehoming kennels where, at any one time, there may be as many as 200 needy animals awaiting a new home. Dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and occasionally the odd farm animal are taken care of by a very dedicated team of staff members.
There are large, shady environmental enrichment areas where the dogs can run around and expend some energy. Regular volunteers interact with the dogs and cats in order to stimulate them mentally and physically and to enrich their lives. They help to socialize the animals to prepare them for new homes. Potential adopters are encouraged to interact with the dogs and cats by spending quality time with them before adoption so that they can choose a pet that is the most suitable for their home and family.
The crippled economy in Zimbabwe coupled with the Covid 19 pandemic, have led to a drastic reduction in regular donations. An alarming increase in the number of animals being surrendered and even more worryingly being abandoned, added to the necessity of locking down the rehoming kennels has resulted in the shelter running full to capacity, increasing the cost of the overall care of the kennel population. The ripple effect of this is that the Harare SPCA is facing a serious shortage of funds for buying the ever-increasing amount of essential consumables and medications for the animals. Many of the drugs needed at the clinic are only available in foreign currency, which is difficult to come by. The cost of running the Harare SPCA rises weekly as goods and services become more expensive due to the devaluation of the local currency.
Before the national lockdown the fundraising committee was ambitiously working to raise much needed funding but has now had to cancel or postpone all of the upcoming regular events, which normally generate income for specific projects, including repairs and maintenance of the facilities and vehicles.
Monies put aside for a growing wish-list of items that would help to improve the veterinary and kennel facilities have had to be redirected to the acquisition of basic necessities and salaries for the staff.
All that is left is to appeal to animal lovers around the world to donate and ensure that the most vulnerable animals in Harare are rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed.
An example of costs –
10 USD / 8 GBP
• Feeds a dog for a 10 days
• Feeds a cat for a 14 days.
• Vaccinates 10 animals for rabies
• 1 dog for their annual 5 in 1
20 USD / 16 GBP
• Neuters a cat
25 USD / 20 GBP
• Spays a cat
40 USD / 32 GBP
• Neuters a dog
45 USD / 36 GBP
• Spays a dog
Please help us?
Organizer
Carly Williams
Organizer