Anonymous donor gifts Pug Rescue with its own property
A seven-year relationship with the anonymous donor has led to the organisation to be able to expand.
In 2007 Malcolm and Cheryl Gaw, founders of Pug Rescue SA, rescued their first pugs and so the rescue centre, which currently houses 219 animals, was born.
Operating from the Gaw property within the Benoni North AH, management and staff have been working tirelessly to ensure the well-being of their flat-nosed friends.
“Since its inception and on the recommendation of our vet, the dream has always been to purchase the adjoining property,” said Cheryl Gaw.
“The larger property would secure more space for our rescues, adding to their quality of life.”
In 2016, following a breakdown of their ongoing vet bills being posted on social media platforms, Pug Rescue received a substantial donation.
“Sleuthing through Facebook, we tracked down the donor and were able to thank her for her generous donation,” she said.
“She indicated that she would be travelling to Gauteng and expressed interest in visiting the facility.
“After a day of shadowing us through the intricate workings at Pug Rescue, she became a large contributor, purchasing a bakkie that is used to collect pugs from across the country, as well the Thanda Inja outreach project in Daveyton, where we bring veterinary care to the community.”
As the relationship flourished, the donor offered to purchase the adjoining property on behalf of Pug Rescue, thus giving them the leisure of paying off the R3m debt.
Due to financial strain, the organisation has not been able to raise the funds but a routine meeting in November, last year, resulted in the loyal donor gifting the 16 242m² property to the organisation as a living legacy.
“We are incredibly grateful for this huge donation and are already working on initiatives to raise funds to kick off the expansion project,” said Cheryl.
“Registration, consent use, walling of the property and getting a borehole pump are at the top of our to-do list.
“We feel incredibly blessed that this extraordinary gift was given to us in the organisation’s 15-year celebrations.”
To raise funds to ensure the speedy walling of the property, Pug Rescue SA will be hosting a ‘Let’s build a wall one step at a time’ fun walk.
Puggers are invited to walk 2 625 steps on February 4, at 07:00.
Securing a sponsorship of 30c per step, participants could donate a minimum of R787.50 to the initiative to wall the property with 1.5m drop walling.
Alternatively, you can participate remotely, committing to walk 950 steps at R95 or 10c per step.
For more information or to pledge your participation email fundraising@pugrescue.co.za.
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