A Sunday Fun Day
CHARTWELL– The Animal Ark Centre hosted a charity Fun Day with the Renewal Institute, which was also a chance for the public to learn the Centre's future.
The Animal Ark Centre, together with the Renewal Institute hosted a Charity Fun Day on 23 October for both the two-legged and four-legged public.
The Fun Day took place at the centre in Chartwell and there were about 15 stalls where visitors could purchase food, drinks and of course … toys and treats for their pet dogs, who were also welcome to enjoy the day. There was a jumping castle for the children and even a dog competition where canines got to show off their tricks.
“It’s amazing how many business stalls and people showed up for the Fun Day,” said Candice Eilertsen, one of Animal Ark’s co-founders. The day was also an opportunity for staff from the Renewal Institute to complete its Corporate Social Investment that they had pleged to the NGO. Staff members fixed up a previously unused, run-down part of the Animal Ark buildings so it could house more animals and by the end of the day, nine additional kennels were created.
The Fun Day was also an opportunity for Animal Ark to tell its supporters about plans to create a doggy walk park on the property. “We’re building a dam and a pathway that visitors and their dogs will be able to use,” explained Tracy Otto, another co-founder.
“We’ll charge R20 entrance for people to use it and that way the centre will be more sustainable and not rely as heavily on donations,” said Otto.
The Animal Ark Centre has also begun creating a wedding venue on their property, which will be available to the public from July next year. “Again, this will make our NGO more sustainable,” added Otto.
“And it means that animal lovers will be able to have their dogs present when they get married,” she beamed.
