The cost of running BARC

There are so many aspects to consider when you run an animal welfare organization but the most important surely is the financial aspect. What follows is some insight into how money is spent at the Kennels. 

Let us start with staff salaries, Nols Jonas is the field worker and his wife Hannelie does the administration. There are two cleaners who clean the cages every day, feed and clean the dogs and wash the bedding blankets amongst others.  

All puppies born at BARC or taken in by BARC, require that they are dewormed and injected at a cost of about R250 each. All dogs and cats are also sterilized. This varies between R700 to R900 between males and bitches. The adoption fee for cats is only R400 and for dogs R500, the adoption fee does not cover the BARC costs here. 

At this stage, 28 puppies are housed at BARC. They can only be adopted when they are 8 weeks old and until this time they need special puppy food. Puppies also need deworming and flea treatments every two weeks. When they are adopted they need to come back at the age of 6 months to be sterilized, this is included in the adoption fees. 

Most big dogs that come in have mange. They then have special care needs with extra costs. 

The dog kennels need to be kept very clean and germ free. The cleaning materials for the cages cost about R1,500 per month. Pest control happens once a month and combats mice and rat plagues. So far, no germ outbreaks have been reported. There are 24 kennels in total to accommodate dogs.  

Water for cleaning the kennels cost about R1,200 to R1,300 per month. 

A bakkie (small pick-up truck ) is used for the transport of animals as well as for daily rounds and call outs. The fuel costs about R5000 per month, maintenance of the bakkie excluded.  Sterilizations are done in Hermanus by Dr Robey and locally by Dr Rozelle Theron. Animals that are hurt also need to be transported to the Hermanus facilities. 

Dog blankets need to washed daily, using washing powder. The washing machine has broken and BARC desperately needs an industrial washing machine and industrial tumble dryer for rainy days. With a wet winter, this becomes crucially important. We do hope to find a sponsor/s willing to help out with replacements. 

The BARC second hand shop also has monthly expenses. The assistants salaries continued through Lockdown. Then electricity costs are about R574 per month and second hand shop, rental amounts to R6000 per month

These are the main expenditures; we once again thank you for your assistance to keep the kennels afloat.