Santa Paws is coming to town

EDITOR’S NOTE

2020 has been a harrowing year, not just for humans. Our furry friends were just as hard hit, with SPCAs and animal shelters around the country bursting at the seams with unwanted, lost or neglected dogs and cats.

The stories of how they ended up in shelters were heartbreaking – some just abandoned on highways, others surrendered as families battled the Covid19 crunch that massacred the job market … and then there were the lost ones.

Their eyes told their stories.

I recently adopted a miniature Foxie from the Randburg SPCA . Lily, pictured left, the sweetest little darling, patterned like a dairy cow, with golden eyes and a zealousness for hugs and cuddles, was a pregnant stray destined for a sad end. The look in her eyes had me transfixed. This little one, with the burgeoning belly, had a story, and I wanted to change it for the better. Three weeks down the line, my children and I can’t remember life without our Lily. She started off scared and clingy but is now a dynamo who darts around with enviable energy. She adores her big brother, our cocker spaniel Toby, and mimics everything he does.

Lily knows she is loved beyond measure … and that she has found her forever home.

Unfortunately, not all fur babies are as lucky as Lily.

As the festive season approaches, animal shelters are in desperate need of help, not just to spread some festive cheer through their kennels, but to simply meet the basic needs of the animals in their care.

We’ve put together the wishlists of some organisations that need assistance, but this is by no means exhaustive. To complement this, we have included a contact list of animal shelters around the country where you can donate time, money or the specific items needed.

IOL Pets implores you to please put on your best Santa Paws hat and do it for our fur babies.

Nelandri

Sandton SPCA

Due to the great feedback received from their first Waggathon event a few weeks ago, the Sandton SPCA has decided to hold another one. This fundraiser takes place on the weekend of December 5 and 6 and involves you walking your dog in your own time and preferred place.

They are quite sure that your dogs would love an entry for only R50, which will provide a meal for their less fortunate friends at the Sandton SPCA. To purchase your entry tickets: https:// qkt.io/wxKz51.

Note that the Tractive Dog Walk app will be used for this event. You can download the app from both the App Store and Google Play.

THIS Black Friday get the bargain of the year and take part in The Sandton SPCA’s Kindness Sale.

A small act of kindness makes a huge difference in the lives of those who need your help. In this case the many animals from underprivileged areas that we treat and sterilise for free in their clinic.

Pay it forward this Black Friday and click this link to donate towards kindness for a deserving animal. https://qkt.io/0XI1pi

TEARS Animal Rescue

TEARS Animal Rescue is calling on all animal lovers to help TEARS feed hungry community cats and dogs. The Covid-19 crisis continues to have a deep impact, families are struggling and their pets are depending on donated food in order to be fed.

TEARS has been working with donors to help feed vulnerable pets, and over 9 tons of food has been donated and distributed over the past eight months. However, this has now run out and the pets are still in need.

Please help. You can either drop a bag of food at TEARS (the cattery, kennels or any of the four charity shops), or donate a bag via their online shop. http://bit.ly/feedhungrypets

TEARS will continue to distribute food to cats and dogs in low-income areas.

Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre

With the festive season fast approaching and all the animal welfare concerns that go with it, the Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre will be spread even thinner and has asked for help.

They are desperate for grey dog blankets, dry adult dog food, small kibble puppy food, black dustbin bags and maybe there is a Santa out there that will bring them some tools for maintenance.

If you can’t get to them, please help by donating so that we can keep those little tummies full and warm: https://www.wetnose.co.za/donations/

Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Name a Kennel for R10 000. This is the average cost of providing a permanent structure which will house thousands of animals over the years as they await their new homes.

Paying for the construction of a kennel entitles you to naming rights and makes for beautiful birthday, Christmas and wedding gifts! https://capespca.co.za/how-tohelp/spca-sponsor/

Dogtown South Africa

http://www.dogtownsa.org/ Did you know? A donation of just R175 helps to feed, home and care for the medical needs of a dog for seven days. Think how many dogs you can help with a budget 10 or 100 times that amount. Give a lifesaving gift in 2020!

Corporate companies can also email Pat on pat@dogtownsa.org for more information about being involved with Dogtown.

Find out more about Dogtown by clicking on https://dogtownsa.org/ wishlist/?fbclid=IwAR3_wNE7nHWjve YoQLdhp9wRK4JVVJxBbanCq0xL1Qd8JCN4jQbkcWTfIw

If you would like to donate or help in any other way, please contact pat@ dogtownsa.org

HEROES FOR ANIMALS

JOHANNESBURG

SPCA: https://jhbspca.co.za/ https://www.kittypuppyhaven.org.za/ https://tears.org.za/ http://animalallies.co.za/ http://4ourpaws.org.za/ http://www.huskyrescue.org.za/ https://www.anewhopedogrescue. com/ https://www.sarac.co.za/ https://tranquilityrc.co.za/ https://www.aacl.co.za/ https://woodrockanimalrescue.co.za/ https://barkingmad.co.za/ https://nspca.co.za/find-your-spca/ https://www.wetnose.co.za/ https://dog.rescueme.org/za https://www.adoptapet.co.za/

DURBAN

SPCA: http://www.spcadbn.org.za/ https://stray-paws.business.site/ https://mazaratanimalrescue.webs. com/ https://montclair-animal-hospital. business.site/ https://www.huskyrescuekzn.com/ https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/ http://darg.org.za/ https://tears.org.za/ https://www.four-paws.org.za/ http://pugrescue.co.za/ https://www.adoptapet.co.za/ https://www.safehavenanimalrescue. org/

WESTERN CAPE

SPCA: https://capespca.co.za/ https://www.pawsofcapetown.com/ https://www.kittenscapetown.co.za/ https://tears.org.za/ https://www.fallenangels.org.za/ http://darg.org.za/ http://uitsig.org.za/ https://oscarsarc.org/ https://dassenbergrescue.org/ http://townshipanimalrescue.co.za/ https://www.hartteamsa.com/ https://www.animalrescue.org.za/ https://www.change4thebetter.org/ https://megsmutts.co.za/