GEORGE NEWS - Well-known local animal lover and rescuer Salomé Bruyns will soon be seen in her blue and white SPCA uniform again.

Bruyns, who has been working at Oudtshoorn Dogs in Need (Odin) for the last three months, left the SPCA as a senior inspector earlier this year. 

This coming Monday she will be taking up her new position at the helm of the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) as their general manager.

"It was not a decision that I made lightly. I enjoyed my time with Odin. Colleen [Smith] and I learnt a lot from each other. 

"At the end of the day the SPCA made me an offer and I accepted. I'm looking forward to the new challenge and working side by side with all the animal welfare organisations in the area," Bruyns told the George Herald during an interview earlier this week. 

At this stage Bruyns doesn't want to go into too much detail, but it seems that she has some exciting new ideas that she wants to implement as GM.

SPCA overjoyed
Bruyns will be taking over the reins from acting general manager, Elmarie Veldsman. "Elmarie has expertly led the GRSPCA for the past three months. She will continue as operations manager and we are confident she and Salomé will be our 'dream team'," said Bruno MacDonald, GRSPCA spokesperson. 

He furthered this sentiment, saying that they are delighted to welcome Bruyns back. "She is passionate about animals, a very experienced inspector, and the perfect person to help build cooperation with our fellow animal welfare groups."

Well wishes from Odin
Odin chairperson, Colleen Smith, wishes Bruyns well with her new post. "Salomé's integrity, enthusiasm and genuine love and caring for animals will guide the rudder at the GRSPCA and I can't think of a better person for the job. 

"The very reason Salomé joined Odin was that we were like-minded and passionate about animal welfare, but there was no way she could refuse the offer to make a huge difference to animal welfare in the area. 

"We learnt so much from each other and will now be able to work together for the prevention of cruelty and to educate. Odin might have lost a staff member, but the animals in need gained a better chance at representation," she said.