Shelter dogs receive new ‘leash’ on life through Tails and Trails
Nadine's first official Tails and Trails walk was held in February.
Nadine van Zyl has become something of a superhero to the shelter dogs at Community Led Animal Welfare after launching her Tails and Trails SA initiative in February.
Nadine, 28, was born and raised in Roodepoort before moving to Potchefstroom for a while and then making her way back to the West Rand where she now lives in Noordheuwel. Nadine’s inspiration for Tails and Trails SA came from seeing a Canadian Instagram user who takes shelter dogs hiking and kayaking.
Once Nadine spoke to a friend about it and received backing from him, she decided to get whatever she needed together and contact Cora Bailey from Claw, who was immediately on board. Nadine opted to work with Claw after she began following their amazing work on Facebook, having adopted a former Claw rescue dog named Luna about three years ago.
For Nadine, helping shelter dogs get adopted is something her heart longs for. “I have a deep love and passion for animals,” she said. “Whenever I see or hear of animals that are abused or mistreated, it breaks my heart and makes me feel incredibly helpless. Through this [Tails and Trails] I feel like I am doing something and making a difference.”
Nadine officially began her Tails and Trails SA campaign on 10 February, when she took a dog by the name of Sparkles out on a trip. Her work doesn’t just end there however, as once she’s finished with the walks, she posts details and photos of the dogs on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to get them adopted.
This strategy has proved beyond successful for Sparkles, as he was adopted on 12 February, a day after Nadine posted about him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtwQJEGlsbH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
She has since taken three more dogs out on walks, typically to either Emmarentia Dam or Delta Park. Nadine feels extremely strongly about helping shelter animals, as it’s not their fault they find themselves where they are. “The thought of dogs or cats spending cold nights outside breaks my heart,” she said.
“These animals have not asked to be here and we have to be the voice of the voiceless.”You can have a look at the other dogs Nadine has featured on the Tails and Trails Instagram and Facebook pages.
