Open letter to the City of Windhoek

The Windhoek Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wish to herewith formally apply to either purchase or lease the old Ramatex property or part thereof.

The Windhoek SPCA is currently situated in Robert Mugabe Avenue, and with the hugely increased numbers in intake of both dogs and cats we have outgrown this property. As Windhoek is growing these numbers shall not decrease, and we cannot at this stage accommodate bigger animals. Not to mention the tremendous numbers in cruelty cases such the 'Ramatex' Cats and also at holiday times. Due to these problems we cannot do our work effectively, and cannot offer better and improved services.

Being a non-profit animal welfare charity and also acting as the City Pound, our main priority is being there to prevent cruelty to animals. We are hugely dependent on the good will of the public and also generating our own sources of income for day to day survival of our animal shelter. One of our main sources of income is through offering boarding facilities to the public. At this stage we are having to give up valuable kennel space at holiday times to accommodate these boarders, and thus generate an income.

Last year October we already had discussions with Mrs Beukes from the City of Windhoek (who has now resigned her position with the City of Windhoek), and her department promised us that they will look into the matter of obtaining a bigger and more suitable property for us. As we, together with the Cat Protection Society, have been at Ramatex on numerous occasions in these past two weeks, to assist with capturing the cats, left behind by workers from Ramatex, we have seen that this property or a portion thereof would be suitable for our SPCA.

We are hoping for your favourable consideration and keeping in mind the valuable service our SPCA is giving back to the inhabitants of Namibia. We also support not only the Cat Protection Society but also all other Namibian SPCA's. We are envisioning setting up a training/lecture center where we shall do animal awareness training to our staff and also the public at large and school children. This training facility could then be used by other institutions for a fee, and this would generate an income. With the larger property and the larger number of kennel space, we would need to employ more staff members, which would also assist the unemployed community at large. Other animal welfare charities have also expressed an interest in assisting us to manage this larger, more improved shelter, boarding and training facility. With a larger property, we would be in a position to offer some of our staff members living facilities, and this would help them tremendously.

Hoping this is in order, and for any further queries please do not hesitate to contact the writer. Assuring you of our closest co-operation at all times.

Yours sincerely,

Ilga Glück, Vice Chairperson Windhoek SPCA Executive Committee