Edupaw NPO makes a change in lives of rural dogs

EDU-PAW is a non-profit organisation (NPO) founded by animal lover, Cathy Keegan, last September.

The organisation aims to support the work of Amanzimtoti SPCA by teaching children basic canine care to instill love and compassion and so turn the tide of neglect and cruelty.

“Animal rescue shelters like the SPCA are struggling under the load, trying to quell the tide of unwanted, abandoned, abused and neglected animals. Many of those who bring dogs to the SPCA are from the townships and rural areas,” said founder, Cathy Keegan.

“Due to a lack of knowledge and resources the dogs that are brought in are often malnourished, full of worms, mange and the breeding continues.

“Three years ago Cathy started walking dogs at SPCA.

“As an avid dog lover, it is something I have always wanted to do – volunteer at a shelter, but like many other animal lovers my excuse was: ‘I could not bear to see animals suffering, abused or even behind bars, it would upset me too much,’ so for years I did nothing,” said Cathy.

One day Cathy decided to be brave but admits it was still tough. The animal lover said it is beyond rewarding when a plan comes together and a dog is rehabilitated and re-homed. The SPCA dog walkers inspired her to a great extent. Their love, compassion, zeal and commitment shine through in everything they do.

“Tracey Girling and her team do an amazing job and I salute them. Tracey has a heart for these children and their dogs and she started an outreach programme and many dogs are cared for, dewormed, vaccinated, sterilised and fed each week. However, the need is so great and the resources so tight and full time workers are few,” explained Cathy.

“One of the things I struggled most with was all the children coming from disadvantaged communities each Saturday with their undernourished, hungry dogs, many of which were flea, tick and mange-ridden. This is heartbreaking to see,” said Cathy.

Edu-Paw aims to address the problem at its source by providing information and educating children from rural communities to bring about a full understanding of the responsibility of owning and caring for a dog. Cathy explains that instilling in them a love for their dogs will in time be perpetuated as they become adults and in turn teach their children to be responsible pet owners.

Edu-Paw holds weekly classes at SPCA Amanzimtoti where the children are taught how to care for their dogs. Cathy explains that information leaflets in isiZulu are given to the children with canine care instructions. She thanked Donovan at Impact Print in Toti for sponsoring all the printing. Each dog receives a collar and lead, deworming, food, dip and is referred to the monthly clinic for vaccinations and sterilisation. The children are encouraged to ask questions and begin to build trust with the SPCA and Edu-Paw helpers. Each week, details are taken down – the name of the child, name of their dog and the help given for their dogs, so progress can be properly monitored. Incentives are given and the children are rewarded when they return the following week and have been taking care of and loving their dogs by applying what they have learned.

“They’re rewarded with sweets, Edu-Paw stickers and at a later stage even T-shirts. This instills a sense of pride in the children as they belong to the ‘Edu-Paw Club’,” explained Cathy.

Edu-Paw appeals for support from the community and businesses to contribute toward its cause. Donations of collars and leads are appreciated as many of the children bring their dogs with rope or even chains tied tightly around their necks. Sponsorship for the printing of information flyers, donations of dog food, food bowls, shampoo, dip, brushes and blankets for winter are all needed. A monthly sponsorship of R400 would go towards the cost of sterilising the dogs to stem the tide of unwanted puppies, as well as a sponsorship for the treatment costs of mange and when necessary, de-worming, dipping and vaccinating each dog brought to SPCA.

Donations can be dropped off at the Amanzimtoti SPCA offices at 1 Nyati Road, Athlone Park, or money can be deposited into the following bank account:

SPCA Amanzimtoti

Standard Bank Prospecton Branch

• code: 057827
• Account number: 053211189
• Reference: Edu Paw

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