Cell C to donate to fire-razed Vanderbijlpark animal shelter
Wednesday’s fire, which left almost 1,000 animals stranded, grabbed the attention of the company, who have pledged to help.
Lindie van Rooyen, the owner of the shelter, is being accused of neglecting and mismanaging Purrpaws for Life animal shelter. Image: Jannie du Plessis
PurrPaws for Life animal shelter in Vanderbijlpark will be over the moon when they hear Cell C has decided to tap into its “Kindness Fund” to help the shelter get back on its feet.
Cell C Managing Executive: Corporate Social Investment, Suzette van der Merwe, said: “PurrPaws has spent years offering shelter to almost 1,000 homeless dogs and cats. This fire will, without doubt, have left the shelter owners and workers absolutely distraught.”
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Lindie van Rooyen, owner of Purrpaws for Life shelter in Vanderbijlpark, looks after about 900 dogs and cats. The main house on the shelter’s property burnt down on Wednesday night, Vaal Weekblad reported on Thursday.
According to Van Rooyen, there were about 100 dogs in the house, and about 30 of them burnt to death in the fire. The shelter’s dog and cat food, which was stored in the house, was destroyed. The premises also has no water due to the fire.
The shelter reached out on social media, urgently calling for donations and foster homes. Cell C has volunteered to assist in donating food and other related items in the next few days to help the PurrPaws team care for their animals until they recover from their ordeal.
“We have seen many community members step in to assist with fostering the animals, but we know that food, water, and other goods will be needed to care for these animals. The Cell C team will make the delivery today so that the shelter can focus on getting back on its feet without the added stress of not being able to provide the necessary goods for the animals,” said Van der Merwe.
(Compiled by Nica Schreuder; press release)
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