Inspectors who rescue neglected animals find purpose in a second chance
Animal welfare inspectors depend on public and corporate support to pursue cruelty cases across South Africa.
Arno de Klerk still thinks about Anna. The neglected chick he found during an inspection in KwaZulu-Natal came home with him, was given a name, and spent the rest of her life roaming freely alongside his dogs. It is the kind of detail that explains why De Klerk has stayed with the National Council of SPCAs for nearly two decades.
As a Senior Inspector in the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit, De Klerk leads investigations into organised animal cruelty, illegal racing operations, and illegal live animal transport cases across all nine provinces. His team pursues criminal prosecutions on behalf of animals that cannot advocate for themselves. Most South Africans, he knows, have no idea the organisation receives zero government funding.
Additional reference context is available at https://sundayindependent.co.za/the-star/partnered/nspca-charity-golf-day-support-for-south-africas-animal-welfare-heroes/.
That funding gap is not abstract. Every inspection, rescue operation, and court case depends on money the NSPCA must raise from the public and corporate donors. Animal welfare currently receives less than 2% of South Africa’s corporate social investment funding, a shortfall that directly limits how many cases the unit can investigate and how many animals receive protection when resources run short.
The emotional weight of the work is real too. De Klerk is open about it. He believes mental wellbeing matters as much as investigative skill for anyone working in this field, and the team has learned that supporting one another is what keeps them focused and functional through the difficult cases.
Meanwhile, the organisation is asking the broader public and business community to step in. The Golfing for Good charity golf day returns on August 20, 2026, at Benoni Country Club, its first appearance in a decade. The event is designed to bring together businesses, golfers, and animal lovers to raise funds that go directly toward supporting inspectors and their ongoing investigations.
Dotsure has signed on as the main sponsor, which means more of the proceeds raised will reach the inspectors themselves rather than covering event costs. Individuals and businesses can still get involved by entering a fourball team, sponsoring a hole, or contributing prizes. Details are available at sundayindependent.co.za/the-star/partnered/nspca-charity-golf-day-support-for-south-africas-animal-welfare-heroes/
De Klerk’s 12 years with the NSPCA have taken him from neglected pets to working animals, from KwaZulu-Natal farms to courtrooms across the country. Each case, he says, changes the outcome for at least one animal in need. The question the Golfing for Good event puts to South African businesses is straightforward: how many more outcomes could change with proper support behind the people doing this work?
Q&A
Who is Arno de Klerk and what is his role?
Arno de Klerk is a Senior Inspector in the NSPCA's Special Projects Unit who leads investigations into organized animal cruelty, illegal racing operations, and illegal live animal transport cases across all nine provinces. He has worked with the NSPCA for nearly two decades.
Why does the NSPCA struggle with funding?
The NSPCA receives zero government funding and must raise money entirely from public and corporate donors. Animal welfare currently receives less than 2% of South Africa's corporate social investment funding, which directly limits the number of cases the unit can investigate and animals that can receive protection.
What does De Klerk identify as essential for inspectors doing this work?
De Klerk believes mental wellbeing matters as much as investigative skill, and that supporting one another is what keeps the team focused and functional through difficult cases.
What is the Golfing for Good event and when is it scheduled?
Golfing for Good is a charity golf day returning on August 20, 2026, at Benoni Country Club for the first time in a decade. It brings together businesses, golfers, and animal lovers to raise funds directly supporting inspectors and their investigations, with Dotsure as the main sponsor.