Community rallies to keep rescue dogs warm and well-fed
Community generosity helps a local animal shelter provide warmth and food to vulnerable dogs during one of the coldest times of the year.
Community members at large joined hands with Rekord to donate blankets and dog food to Pretoria Dog Rescue on July 3, providing much-needed relief to the shelter as it faces increased pressure during the winter season.
The donation drive was aimed at supporting animals in need by collecting essential items from the community. These were then handed over to the shelter to help care for rescued dogs.
Pretoria Dog Rescue CEO, Celia van Zyl said the support came at a critical time, as the shelter had recently run out of dog food.
“We did a plea yesterday for food. We are totally out of food, so we are grateful. We thank community members from the bottom of our hearts. All our dogs are wagging their tails,” said Van Zyl.
Van Zyl explained that while the food would immediately help feed the dogs, the blankets would also play an important role throughout winter.
“In winter, they use a lot of blankets because we change them. We have to change and wash them, so we need a lot of blankets,” explained Van Zyl.
She added that the shelter continues to face financial pressures, particularly when it comes to veterinary treatment for rescue animals.
“Food is always a problem, wet and dry food, because we use the wet food for dogs that are in rehabilitation and…put their medication in [it],” said Van Zyl.
Rekord Sales Manager, Sajedah Ameer said the initiative was driven by the desire to support a shelter that depends heavily on community generosity.
“We wanted to assist smaller shelters that do not get a lot of community support, and Pretoria Dog Rescue was selected,” said Ameer.
She added that the donations reflected the kindness of local residents who contributed towards the drive.
“The donations came from the community and without community support, these shelters struggle to provide food and warmth to their animals, especially during the winter season,” shared Ameer.
Ameer encouraged more businesses to become involved in similar initiatives saying shelters rely on donations to continue caring for animals.
Van Zyl encouraged families to teach children how to interact safely and respectfully with dogs, especially those that may have experienced neglect or trauma.
“People must teach their children not to climb onto dogs and not bend over stray dogs because not all dogs are used to children or people. Respect the dog like you want to be respected,” she said.
Van Zyl reiterated the importance of ongoing community support, saying the shelter could not continue its work without public assistance.
“We cannot function without the public. We are totally dependent on the public. If you see a dog that needs help, report it immediately because you are that dog’s lifeline,” concluded Van Zyl.
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