2 iconic SPCA doggy charity boxes up for auction to raise funds

Two iconic doggy boxes from The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will be put up for auction to raise funds. 

The auction will be held during the Paws for a Cause Gala Benefit dinner on Oct 15 at the One Farrer Hotel. The gala dinner is part of SPCA’s 75th anniversary celebration making it Singapore’s oldest non-profit animal welfare organisation. 

Apart from running a shelter for sick, abused and unwanted animals, SPCA also provides 24/7 emergency animal rescue, cruelty and welfare investigations, sterilisation programmes for stray animals, complementary veterinary care and spay/neuter surgeries for community animals and pets. 

SPCA said it requires over $3,000,000 to fund these essential services and provide a good environment for over 2,000 animals.  

“With rising costs, it is imperative for us to intensify our fundraising efforts so that we can continue to care for our community animals,” SPCA wrote on its fundraising campaign page publicising the dinner.

Slightly more than $106,000 has been raised so far, with the campaign goal set at $300,000. 

In an Instagram post, SPCA said the opportunity to own the iconic Doggy Boxes is “once-in-a-lifetime”. It added: “You can bring a history of Singapore’s oldest animal welfare organisation home!” 

According to estimates from the staff, the Doggy Boxes are at least 30 years old.

The Doggy Boxes were in use as recently as 2017, according to SPCA’s social media pages. The boxes were once a common sight at shopping malls for members of the public to drop their spare change, as part of the SPCA’s fundraising efforts. 

Apart from the auction, the dinner will have performances, lucky draw and a dance floor. 

Those interested in purchasing a seat at the dinner can do so via this Google form. 

A single seat costs either $500 or $1,000. Those interested in booking a table at the dinner can do so for $5,000 or $10,000.