Dog walk raises R188,000 for SPCA animal-care project - IOL

One of the participants in the Woefie Wandel fundraising event. The event raised much-needed funds for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

The Woefie Wandel fundraising event raised R188,000 for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA animals waiting for homes project.

The SPCA said the money raised will help provide the food, veterinary treatment, shelter, rehabilitation, and the daily care animals need while they wait for homes. The funds will go directly to support animals still waiting for a family.

The support comes at an important time for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, as dog admissions increased by 26.9% in the past year, from 10,577 to 13,417. On average, preparing one dog for responsible adoption costs the organisation R7,143, explained Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham.

The Woefie Wandel fundraising event raised R188,000 for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

Abraham said Cape Town turned up for the animals on Sunday, with 1,080 people and 802 dogs filling Green Point Park for the Woefie Wandel Dog Walk and Pet Fair, sponsored by Absolute Pets.

“There were long legs, short legs, old friends and new ones, and an extraordinary number of wagging tails as Cape Town came out in force,” she said.

Opening the event, Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, spoke about the importance of responsible companion animal care and acknowledged the work of SPCA inspectors across Cape Town.

"Decent care for animals does not happen everywhere. It is not guaranteed. Very often I have to call the SPCA at one o'clock in the morning, saying there is a really mistreated animal; you need to come and fetch him or her. And it is these inspectors from the SPCA who are then in their vehicles at those hours of the morning, driving out to Atlantis or to Philippi or to wherever, to respond,” Smith said.

Abraham said the SPCA deals with animal suffering daily and the sight of hundreds of people arriving with much-loved dogs was particularly meaningful.

"Every family who spent their Sunday with us, and every dog who trotted, ambled, bounced or enthusiastically pulled their human around Green Point Park, helped an animal who is still waiting for someone of their own. Their participation becomes treatment for a sick dog, food in a kennel, time for a frightened animal to recover, a safe place to wait, and, ultimately, another chance in a loving home,” Abraham said.