October 10, 2022, 08:03 PM
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The iconic SPCA doggy box is up for auction.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore said on social media on Oct. 9 that it is putting two of its doggy charity boxes up for auction to raise funds during its gala benefit dinner.
The charity boxes have some history to them.
They were a common sight at shopping malls, put there as receptacles for passive charity.
Members of the public who noticed them could drop spare change of any amount into the boxes.
Owning a piece of history
In its post, SPCA noted that it is Singapore's oldest animal welfare organisation, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022.
It is estimated that the charity boxes are at least 30 years old and their future owners will be owning pieces of SPCA's history.
The post added: "Psssst. This is bork. We think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You get old bork statue in your house, you’ll be the coolest! All of us borks know him, he is the yellow money bork, our friend."
Needs millions to operate each year
According to its fundraising campaign page publicising the Paws for a Cause 2022 Charity Gala Dinner on Oct. 15, 2022, SPCA highlighted that the organisation needs some S$3 million a year to operate.
It wrote: "Each year, the SPCA requires over S$3,000,000 to continue providing essential animal welfare services to the community. With rising costs, it is imperative for us to intensify our fundraising efforts so that we can continue to care for our community animals."
Doggy boxes in use even in 2017
And it appears that as recent as 2017, SPCA was still relying on its doggy boxes to raise money the good old fashioned way.
A Facebook post in June 2017 requested establishments in Singapore that were keen to house the doggy box on their premises to contact SPCA.
To highlight its need for funds, SPCA noted then that it is a non-profit organisation, relying on kind donations from the generous public, as well as fundraising, to carry out our animal welfare services and education work.The need to rely on the doggy boxes is an important avenue for SPCA to reach out to the public as it sought to continue its role as an animal protector in Singapore, it was also noted.
It also said some of its services include 24/7 emergency animal rescue, cruelty and welfare investigations, running a shelter for sick, injured, abused and unwanted animals, sterilisation programmes for stray animals, as well as complementary veterinary care and spay/neuter surgeries for community animals and pets.
The doggy boxes will be on auction during the gala benefit on Oct. 15 at 7pm.
Application to attend can be found here.
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