ANIMAL shelters and organisations around Durban received a much-needed boost last week as volunteers from the Santa Cause for Paws initiative delivered food, blankets, toys and other goodies ahead of the festive season. In all, 420 boxes were divided between Durban & Coast SPCA, Project Dog, Mazarat Kennels, Persian Cat Rescue and Lesley’s Kitten Rescue.

The concept of Santa Cause is similar to the Santa Shoebox initiative, except the focus is on dogs and cats and other animals in need. Each box that is pledged has five items: two things ‘yum’ (food and a treat), something warm (blanket or jacket), something useful (food bowl, collar or conditioning tablets) and something fun (toy for cat/dog).

Clair Hall, one of the Durban founders of the initiative, said she was pleased with the response from the community.

“We may have fallen short of our target of 500 boxes, but we also had financial pledges of up to R11 000 which will help make up the remaining boxes. It’s awesome giving back to the animal rescue organisations, especially at this time of the year, because so many animals are abandoned or orphaned. This donation takes the burden off their backs,” she said.

Hall added that a portion of the funds would also be used to pay off outstanding vet bills for some of the organisations.

Nicole Gounden from the Durban & Coast SPCA said she was blown away by the support shown.

“This is just fantastic, it means so much to us and the animals. We are just blown away by this outpouring of support and love,” she said.