The Irwin Animal Rescue Centre in Walkerville, a non-profit organisation has, due to financial hardship now reached a stage where operational costs have to be drastically scaled down in order for Irwin’s to survive.
The dramatic change in our financials has been brought about by unforeseen civil litigation and further costs incurred required to submit a consent use application to the Midvaal Council. As it was stated, Irwin’s was subjected to spending a large amount of money in securing the services of a professional litigator to prepare and submit the application on our behalf, following the conduction of a noise impact study. They further foresee the possible need to spend more money to erect some form of noise reducing structures as a measure to reduce noise levels at the centre to satisfy the Midvaal Council and their neighbours.
The strategy to ensure the survival of Irwin’s will be based on the following:
a) They urgent need to re-home 200 dogs by mid May 2015 in a bid to drastically reduce operational costs will be done through media campaigns, utilising our face book page and other media platforms. Regular open days have been planned to encourage re-homing as well as offering the waiver of the adoption fee until further notice. Home inspection will still be conducted before adoptions are approved.
b) The implementation of stringent cutbacks, restricting already laboured budgets by reducing all operational costs..
c) The raising of an additional R30 000 per month to fund operational costs. All efforts are to be aligned with the hosting of events on behalf of Irwin’s to raise funds and to donate money, food etc. We believe this will make the difference. Please support our Charity Shop in Benoni, 29 Railway Ave.
To achieve this we appeal that all animal lovers join us and unite in strength, holding hands as we spread the word of our urgent bid to re-home as many dogs as possible by mid May 2015. In addition to this, to further develop a broader, more sustainable and reliable income base , which will serve Irwin’s steadfastly in their sole mission of rescuing and re-homing destitute dogs, for many years to come.
The harsh reality is that if we are not able to achieve these objectives the current financial position simply does not allow us to continue to operate Irwins at all, even now with a greatly reduced number of dogs. Needless to say the high standards that have been set over the past three years in respect of the way that we cared and provided for our dogs cannot be compromised. When we have reached that stage we will then be regrettably forced to carry through the only unthinkable but remaining option of reducing the quota of dogs in our care by means of euthanasia. Irwins is a PRO LIFE shelter, and this has significant bearing on us all.
Our centre is open 7 days a week, Sunday to Friday 9:30 to 15:00 and Saturday 9:30 to 13:00. Our physical address is 59 Aloe Ridge Drive, Walkerville, Johannesburg. Please note that we do not have any puppies at the centre.
Please carry them in your hearts and come adopt, or bring your friends and encourage them to lend a helping hand. Kindly share our urgent plea for help, as far and wide as possible.
