“Atlantis and Mamre will most definitely be an area we will return to,” says Veronica Nel, Hospital Manager at the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).
“The PDSA has for years offered a mobile clinic service to the neediest areas, including Atlantis and Mamre.”
She explained the main reason for not being able to provide this service for the past six months was a shortage of staff. “Any person treating animals from a mobile clinic must have the correct training and skills, and more importantly must be registered under the South African Veterinary Council,” said Nel.
She further explained the PDSA, a NPO, doesn’t receive government funding.
“We, however, have structured our funding and resources to be able to provide our much needed services to many indigent communities,” Nel said.
Several qualified animal welfare assistants had left the organisation, she pointed out, so there weren’t enough qualified staff at the PDSA hospitals or at the mobile clinics, and this was the reason the service was withdrawn.
“We have however managed to employ more staff to increase our capacity, and hope to have the mobiles back in all the areas in the very near future,” Nel said.
“So with the SPCA and Animal Rescue Organisation, who also operate mobile clinics, we’ll ensure our services are distributed across Cape Town, especially the neediest areas, reaching as many animals as possible.”
