Paint brushes, and plenty of heart were in action at CapeGate Shopping Centre this past Saturday as volunteers came together for the Dogbox Project’s Mandela Day festivity. The mission, to paint 67 dog kennels to make life a little more comfortable for animals in need.
What started as a once-off Mandela Day initiative in 2012 has grown into something much bigger. Thanks to ongoing support from the public, the Dogbox Project is now a year-round campaign that gives back to shelters and pets living in tough conditions.
“Blankets and food are always needed, but kennels are the real game-changers,” organiser Adéle Lombaard told TygerBurger. “They’re expensive, and most shelters simply don’t have the budget for them. That’s where we come in.”
67 teams build hope
Making up 67 teams, volunteers from all walks of life, families, students and animal lovers rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The CapeGate centre court was transformed into a buzzing hub of activity.
“Every single kennel painted on the day will go directly to dogs in animal shelters where sadly, many animals don’t have basic shelter from the elements. These kennels will now offer warmth in the cold, and shade in summer,” says Adéle, adding that the project had thus far provided 2 300 kennels over 13 years.
Regular participants Charmaine Lombaard and Eric Smith from Durbanville says it is their love for animals that inspire them to be involved. They provide regular donations to Hantam Pet Paws, a small animal outreach run by Mariechen du Toit, situated in the rural Northern Cape.
With no SPCA or established animal welfare organisations in the area, Mariechen has taken it upon herself to help the animals in some of the most impoverished areas herself.
“There are many needy people in these areas where there are no other rescue organisations. Relying solely on friends and family for donations of dog and cat food, Mariechen works alone going into the rural areas to feed and rescue animals,” says Lombaard.
Meagan van Staden from Pawrent Village, an animal foster organisation based in Joostenbergvlakte, says the donated kennels will go a long way in supporting their ongoing rescue efforts.
“These kennels make a huge difference,” she said. “They provide protection for our animals, especially during the cold and wet winter months. We’re incredibly grateful for the support.”
Pawrent Village fosters puppies rescued from the area between Paarl East and Wellington, until they are ready for adoption. Some puppies are so young that they are bottle fed for a few weeks. Van Staden says their biggest need remains dog food.
