AFTER a decade of enhancing the lives of young children and their dogs, the Amanzimtoti SPCA Edu Paw Programme will be closing its doors.

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Edu Paw was facilitated, and managed by SPCA volunteer Cathy Rhoda Keegan for nine years until the death of her husband and her subsequent move to Cape Town in 2025.

Volunteer Jo Douwes then stepped up to manage Edu Paw in Keegan’s absence and trained volunteer Nomfundo Luthuli  who became the programme’s new facilitator.

“For the past year, Nomfundo has run the programme with the assistance of her sister, Sphelele Luthuli, while I continued to manage social media. Sadly, due to financial constraints, Nomfundo has had to take full-time employment in a job that requires her to work every Saturday and is no longer able to commit to the demands of running the programme. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as ‘just finding someone else’. The programme requires someone who is deeply passionate about what we do, fully committed to Saturday classes, trained through the programme to understand every aspect of it, equipped with management skills, and willing to serve without financial remuneration,” said Keegan.

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Keegan sincerely thanked every person who encouraged, supported, sponsored and donated towards the running costs of the programme, because the lives of both children and dogs have been transformed for the better.

“Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of working alongside the most incredible volunteers, who gave so generously of their time and hearts to help us teach children proper canine care and instil love and compassion for animals. Although the Edu Paw Programme has come to an end, we would like to assure all our supporters and donors that any donations received in Edu Paw’s name will continue to be used to uplift the lives of township dogs who are brought to the SPCA. It has been an incredible journey and a true privilege. We are deeply grateful to every single person who has played a part in the Edu Paw story,” said Keegan.

She prays that someone who meets the necessary criteria will one day step forward and follow in Edu Paw’s footsteps.

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