Paws for thought with Caroline Smith
We have been serving animals for 130 years! Take a moment to let that sink in … and imagine what life was like for our founders back in 1896.
Ships in Durban harbour had sails, and their cargo was hauled into town by ox-wagon. People rode in horse-drawn carriages or on bicycles. Rickshas plied their trade along a dusty West Street.
To put our legacy into perspective, the Durban & Coast SPCA was founded 16 years before the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Our Society survived the Anglo-Boer war of 1899, as well as two World Wars.
Sydney Road premises
Our founders started building the first-of-its kind ‘Dog’s Home’ in 1925, at the original Sydney Road premises, on land leased from the Durban Corporation for 5 shillings per year.
Formally opened by the Mayor of Durban Mr. Alex Eason on 6th March 1929, the success of the Durban Dogs Home spread to other parts of South Africa, as well as the then Rhodesia.
Both the Johannesburg and Cape SPCAs were provided with our architectural plans, layouts and regulations in order for them to establish similar dogs homes in their cities. The records show both Societies expressing warm appreciation for the assistance.
Fascinating reading
Paging through old, yellowed Annual Reports from as far back as 1933 (the earliest in our archives) makes for fascinating reading. The balance sheet reflects revenue of £699 and 14 shillings – no doubt a ‘pretty penny’ in those days!
That year, 2 257 dogs and 1 632 cats were admitted, ‘diseased and starving’.
Vision of a more humane world
Above all, our founders must be recognised for their pioneering vision of a more humane world. The establishment of the Durban & Coast SPCA has had a positive impact on the lives of literally millions of animals. We have gone from strength to strength and remain at the forefront of animal welfare today.
This year we will be taking a ‘deep dive’ into these archives of historical documents, photographs and newspaper cuttings to produce regular fascinating stories of our 130-year-old journey.
Our enthralling history draws one into a world so far removed from today … but which in many ways remains heartbreakingly unchanged when it comes to cruelty to animals.
Pictured above: (top left) West Street, Durban – circa 1890, (top right) Original Sydney Road premises, (bottom left) People of good heart, helping animals.
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