Soc for Animals in Distress to build new facility

The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) in Midrand has, in its 55^th year of establishment, embarked on an exciting and essential project to develop and improve The Society's veterinary and administrative facilities. This project, inspired and begun some eight years ago, is the result of the extensive generosity and efforts of The Society's donors, Executive General Manager, Heather Müller, plus her Executive Committee Members and staff.  Together they have laboured towards a tangible, sustainable and effective future for The Society for Animals in Distress and all the lives it touches.

SAID is proud of the surety its founding members gave the organisation by purchasing an 11.7-acre property in Vorna Valley, Midrand in the 1970s - a property that has serviced the needs of the organisation and its patients well for several decades.

As SAID has grown and evolved, spurring the need for enhanced small-animal and equine veterinary and kennelling facilities, plus an improved, cohesive administration office, focus and efforts have been driven to support and guarantee funding requirements of the project.

At the breaking-of-ground, SAID Executive General Manager, Heather Müller praised, “A project such as this requires many hands and hearts to make it successful, and it cannot be expressed in words how dedicated, passionate, generous and remarkable our donors - both coporate and individual - have been to secure the future for our Society. It is beyond humbling.”  

“The Society is most conscious of the need to preserve the highest integrity in our financial accountability to donors, the sustainable and wise use of our land and buildings, as well as upholding our credible reputation. This redevelopment of the property has become necessary due to an overburdened infrastructure and ageing equipment. The project planning will deliver adequate accomodation for our services and reflect the modesty of our welfare status.” added Executive Chairman, Nigel Forfar.

The Purpose of the Build

This project aims to provide the organisation, its professional veterinary team as well as the animal patients, with access to improved equipment and facilities, thereby refining and developing the overall productivity and capacity of the organisation.

The servicing of eight township communities north- and north-east of Johannesburg with veterinary care, on-site operational work and fundraising initiatives, will be better supported, allowing the core focus of SAID to continue its work in line with the organisation's vision and Mission Statement: -

“Healing and Safeguarding Animals;

Educating and Empowering Communities” 

Awareness of disturbances and apologies during this time

The Society for Animals in Distress wishes to thank its neighbours and the local community for their patience during this time.