A ‘yappy’ day with Pug Rescue
The Benoni City Times spent some time with Pug Rescue SA, at their monthly Pug Olympics Yappy fund-raiser, on Saturday, July 13.
Locals brought along their small to medium-sized dogs, which were mainly pugs, for a fun outing, where their pets could play around while they enjoyed a cold drink and something to eat.
The main events of the day were obstacle races between the pugs.
There was also the opportunity for visitors to go on a tour through Pug’s Haven to view the furry residents, including the extra wrinkly ones, in the pug retirement centre.
The centre currently accommodates over 85 rescue pugs on the premises, and they aim to rehabilitate and re-home the animals.
Pug Rescue SA director and chairman Malcolm Gaw said that all funds raised on the day would go towards their expenses, such as rehabilitation of the pugs, food and operation costs.
In the race which the City Times viewed, the winners were Andrew Toms’s pug, Monty, in third place; Henning Pretorius’s pug, Zeus, as runner-up and Lucretia Welsh’s pug, Gherkin, in first place, due to his athletic skills.
Volunteer Debbie Shelton sponsored a coffee shop on the premises, called Pickle’s Place, which is named after Pug Rescue SA’s very own dwarf pug.
A creative supporter, Aimee Zermatten, designed its sign.
There is also a new food and drink kitchen for visitors, sponsored by Garg Turner Woodcrafts.
President and founder of Pug Rescue South Africa, Cheryl Gaw, says they will open a grooming facility and pet accessory store soon.
Pugs’ Haven is open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm for visits, tours, adoptions and volunteer work, but make arrangements by calling first.
If you would like to get involved with this organisation, contact the Gaws on 082 449 2644 or 082 578 6949.
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