Pug Rescue owner pleads for funding
"We are running out of space and fundraising is a challenge."
Despite funding remaining their biggest challenge, Pug Rescue South Africa founder and owner Malcolm Gaw said they want to run a farm and an efficient operation in the next 10 years.
Gaw commented while celebrating his 70th birthday with a fundraising event at the facility on October 2.
He urged companies to help with fundraising and pleaded with people to look after their pets.
“Our biggest driver is funding and it’s limited in South Africa. Unfortunately, most companies and individuals don’t mind funding people or communities if they get points as part of a CSI programme.
“But when you mention dogs, people frown. We hope in 10 years’ time dogs, especially pugs, are seen differently than they are today,” he said.
Dog lovers came out en masse to support the fundraiser and excited pugs could be seen running all over the facility.
As negligence and dog fighting remain a challenge, Gaw explained that part of their annual strategic planning is to look at threats and opportunities in the community.
He said they have thus far identified dog fighting and indiscriminate breeding as challenges faced by dogs in communities.
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“Unfortunately, pugs and other small breeds are stolen and used as bait in dog fighting to train killer dogs. We would like to see that stop.
“In many areas, a lot of people supporting this are professionals. How one puts an end to this, is a very difficult question. We hope people become the voice for the voiceless.”
According to Gaw, backyard breeders use dogs as a way to make money.
“With the high unemployment, a quick way of making money is getting two dogs together and every six months, they have puppies. This inbreeding is creating health problems for dogs. People should sterilise their dogs,” he said.
Because of all these problems in the communities, Gaw said through Pug Rescue’s Thanda Inja programme, they visit communities to help with sterilisation, among other things.
“Every second week, we go to the Daveyton area with voluntary vets to sterilise, vaccinate, dip and educate. That way we give back to our community.
“It would help us if our own community and businesses could contribute whether it is financially, dog food or equipment to help us address these challenges.”
Also Read: Pug Rescue founder celebrates 70th birthday
