Pug Rescue continues to move forward

Pug Rescue raised R1 845 716 through donations, fund-raising and sponsorship during the financial year March 2017 to February 2018.

This was revealed at the animal welfare organisation’s annual general meeting on August 4 at the premises in the Benoni North Agricultural Holdings.

Founder Cheryl Gaw said Pug Rescue continues to stand firm in their vision to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home and offer sanctuary to pugs.

“In the past 10 years, we’ve rescued a total of 1 757 pugs, including 1 539 pugs and 218 honorary pugs.

“We have also rescued a few cats, two bunnies and two chickens and at any given time we have on average of 150 rescues in our care.

“Due to the political and economic climate in South Africa, the number of pugs needing our assistance will continue to increase.”

Cheryl said, sadly, the same climate has been the number of adoptions decrease which has allowed for more and more of the rescues becoming permanent residents and ageing at Pug Rescue.

“Our oldest resident, Makulu, who lived with us for nine years, crossed to the rainbow bridge this year at the age of 17 years and three months.”

She said despite the decrease in adoptions, they will continue to uphold a high standard of inspection in re-homing rescues.

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“At no time or for any reason will we ever compromise the well-being, safety and security of any of our rescues.”

Cheryl said veterinary care remains their greatest cost despite the generous discounts they receive from the vets they make use of.

“The past year has seen many successful fund-raisers and we are grateful for the support of our committed volunteers and that of the public,” said Cheryl.

“We have large expenses but have never failed in our financial commitments.”

Cheryl added that their Thanda Inja community outreach project continues to grow from strength to strength.

“We have consistently offered this to the community of Daveyton for the past four years.

“We should not be able to offer such outreach without the ongoing support from the state vets of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and our anchor vet, Dr Bernadette Eales.”

Pug Rescue SA chairperson Malcolm Gaw shared the key challenges and priorities for the 2018/2019 year.

He said they need to become more efficient in their daily tasks at the Pug Rescue SA sanctuary and to aggressively build on the regular donations and sponsorships.

“Getting a resident vet nurse will help and leveraging social media to find more reliable regular volunteers locally and in the other centres as well as for fund-raising,” said Malcolm.

“Working on the vision of Thanda Inja Animal Welfare Hospital with our own vets, mobile trucks and ambulances, this is also work in progress – exciting times ahead.”

He said they are looking forward to another busy, fun year ahead.

“We have worked and we will continue reaping the results.”

Cheryl said they are humbled by what they receive from their directors, GDARD, vets, volunteers, donors and sponsors.

ALSO READ: Pug Rescue benefits from public’s contributions

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