Over 100 people attended a recent volunteer event hosted by the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS).
This is according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising at AWSS, via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
The event was held in honour of Mandela Day on 18 July and gave individuals and corporations the opportunity to pledge 67 minutes of their time to volunteering at the organisation, she stated.
Ahead of the event, Perrins emphasised that the organisation was counting on its supporters to “give the gift of hope” on Mandela Day, as the past two years have been difficult for the organisation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sadly, the pandemic has resulted in more pet owners relying on our service – illness, poverty, [and] loss of income and housing can result in even the most devoted pet owners having to surrender their beloved pet to the AWSS,” said Perrins.
However, Perrins added that she has seen a lot of generosity over the past two years, despite the hardships that everyone has experienced.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) hosted their 2022 Mandela Day Event on 18 July. The event gave individuals and corporations the opportunity to pledge 67 minutes of their time to volunteering at the organisation. This is according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising at AWSS. Additionally, AWSS encouraged their supporters to, where possible, contribute financially to aid their community outreach clinics. These clinics provide vaccinations, sterilisation, parasite control, pet food parcels and humane education, Perrins explained. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Mandela Day makes a difference
The recent event was a success, as a total of 400 kg of dry dog food was donated, according to Perrins.
The volunteering opportunities included the repairing of kennels, the building of weather-proof terraces, the restoration of cat scratching-posts, and dog-walking, according to the AWSS website.
“Our motto in life should really be: every day is Mandela Day,” Amy Westerman, marketing director at Valemount Trading, told MatieMedia. Valemount Trading is a pet product wholesaler that has built a relationship with AWSS by donating their own stock to the organisation, according to Westerman.
The company donated cat-scratching posts, animal carriers, toys, bowls, and beds to the value of R26 000 in honour of Mandela Day, according to Perrins.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) has noted an increase in pet surrender over the past two years, according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising at AWSS. Perrins explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for pet owners. “Illness, poverty, [and] loss of income and housing can result in even the most devoted pet owners having to surrender their beloved pet to the AWSS,” she explained. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
All monetary donations that AWSS receives throughout the course of this year, including the donations received on Mandela Day, will go towards the operation of AWSS’s community outreach clinics, said Perrins.
Finding purpose through pets
“To really find purpose in your life is the important thing and giving back to some sort of community – there’s nothing more fulfilling than that,” said Alec Topp, who manages the animal shelters at AWSS. “Finding the needy homes is crucial,” he added.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) encouraged its supporters to pledge 67 minutes of their time to volunteering at its organisation for this year’s Mandela Day. “Everyone has experienced hardships over the last two years, yet I have seen the generosity and spirit of giving shine brighter than ever,” said Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising at AWSS. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Without organisations like AWSS, communities like Stellenbosch might run into serious issues, such as animals being hit in the street and the spread of animal diseases, said Topp. Thus, supporting organisations such as AWSS is really important on Mandela Day, as well as throughout the year, said Topp.