Help Tara break out of the Dog Box

A QUEENSBURGH educator does not only care for children but has a soft spot for the animals, as well.

Tara Aberdeen will be taking part in her eighth Kloof & Highway SPCA Dog Box Challenge this year and said she is excited to be able to help the animals once again.

This annual fundraiser is in its 10th year where participants are locked up in one of the kennels at the Kloof & Highway SPCA for 24 hours on Friday, May 24.

Also read: It’s a doggy-dog world for Anita

They will be released on Saturday midday. Each participant is tasked with raising R10 000 for their release.

Aberdeen will, once again, share her kennel with her good friend and Dog Box partner, Lucille Berry Mason.

“Although it is a total of R10 000 for release per kennel, for these past eight years, we have made it our mission to each raise R10 000, which we have done successfully thus far. We look back fondly on all the years that we have participated, and knowing that we have made a difference fills our hearts with gratitude and joy.”

Aberdeen said she is very passionate about animal welfare and is also a vegan.

“I love supporting the SPCAs as they take care of abandoned animals, and I have adopted a few animals from them. In the 24 hours that we are locked up, as a vegan, I use some of that time to introduce people to the vegan lifestyle and encourage people to care for all animals, including the often-forgotten pigs and cows,” she said.

She said that, this year, she is dedicating the challenge to both her late grandmothers and, of course, the animals.

Asked how she gets sponsors, Aberdeen said she reaches out to friends and family for support.
Her Dog Box partner also does fundraisers to help reach her target.

Besides the Dog Box challenge, Aberdeen also helps out with gift-wrapping during Christmas time for the SPCAs. “I recently made and sold vegan burgers at the Toti SPCA fundraiser. The SPCAs need our support. If we can’t assist financially, we can donate our time.”

Also read: Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Sarah pedals for paws

Currently an educational manager at Nielson Academy of Learning, the animal lover also worked at Malvern Primary School for 10 years, teaching mathematics, Afrikaans and English.

On Tuesday, May 14, she graduated with an Honours Degree in Inclusive Education from STADIO Higher Education – Durban Musgrave Campus.

“At Nielson Academy of Learning, I offer a free diagnostic assessment for learners so parents can see where their child is at in their academic journey. This is used as a point of departure to prepare an individualised tuition programme just for them.

“I value education and have always strived to make or be the change in my community. I want to be the teacher that I needed when I was growing up. I want to support all the children, including the anxious ones, the misunderstood ones and those with additional academic needs,” she said.

“I want them to feel loved, valued and seen.”

She added that she is the wife of a very supportive husband and a mother of furbabies.
To help her reach her goal of raising R10 000, people can deposit the money into the Kloof and Highway SPCA account:

Name: Kloof and Highway SPCA
Bank: FNB
Acc type: Cheque
Acc no: 50730485741
Ref: Your name / Tara
Proof of payment: tara_parker07@yahoo.com

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