EduPaw tackles animal cruelty through canine care programme
As of 2019, 12 children will join an eight-week-long programme and on the completion each child will receive a certificate.
EDUPAW, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that is run through the Amanzimtoti SPCA, continues to work miracles in the lives of rural dogs and their owners every week.
The educational outreach organisation supports the work of Amanzimtoti SPCA by teaching children basic canine care to instill love and compassion and, in doing so, turn the tide of neglect and cruelty.
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Founder Cathy Keegan explained that animal rescue shelters are struggling under the load, trying to quell the tide of unwanted, abandoned, abused and neglected animals. A significant portion of those who bring dogs to the SPCA are from the townships and rural areas. Cathy explained that due to a lack of knowledge and resources, the dogs are often malnourished, full of worms, mange and the breeding continues.
EduPaw has been operating for four years now, from the vacant grounds beside and adjoined to the Amanzimtoti SPCA in Nyati Road, Athlone Park.
The organisation has recently tweaked its educational process in an effort to see a more thorough teaching shared with those who attend, rather than drowning under the tide of children that arrive with multiple dogs each Saturday morning.
Edu-Paw still holds weekly classes where the children are taught how to care for their dogs. Each dog receives a collar and lead, deworming, food, dip and is referred to the monthly clinic for rabies vaccinations.
Each week, details are taken down so progress can be properly monitored. Incentives are given to the children when they return the following week and have been taking care of their dogs by applying what they have learned.
As of 2019, 12 children will join an eight-week-long programme and on the completion each child will receive a certificate.
After this course is completed, a further 12 children will have the opportunity to be a part of the next course.
The eight weeks cover everything a pet owner needs to know. From feeding the right amount and type of food, to health of skin, eyes and teeth and behaviour and bonding with your dog.
Eco-brickers are urged to donate their completed, rock-hard bricks to the Amanzimtoti SPCA, as a classroom will be built, under the guidance of draftsman Chris Rogers, out of eco-bricks. Other building materials are going to be needed, so donations are welcomed.
Edu-Paw appeals for support from the community and businesses to contribute toward its cause. Donations of collars and leads are appreciated, as well as sponsorship of T-shirts and caps for the volunteers. Donations of dog food, food bowls, shampoo, dip, brushes and blankets for winter are all needed. A monthly sponsorship can go towards the cost of sterilising the dogs, as well as a sponsorship for the treatment costs of mange and deworming, dipping and vaccinating each dog.
Donations can be dropped off at the Amanzimtoti SPCA offices, or money can be deposited into:
SPCA Amanzimtoti
Standard Bank Prospecton Branch
Code: 057827
Account number: 053211189
Reference: Edu Paw
For more information, contact the SPCA on 031-904-2424/5 or Cathy Keegan on 084-579-3237.
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