In 2019, we set a goal to raise a whopping R1 million for pets in need. We’re proud to announce that we’ve not only reached but exceeded our target – thanks to you and pet-loving communities all over South Africa! It has been such a rewarding experience making a difference in the lives of thousands of our vulnerable furry friends out there.
It’s been a long run, but absolutely worth the view! We’ve seen some heart-braking, tear-jerking and inspirational things along the way. From hungry shelter pets feasting on donated food to cold furry friends given warm blankets to help fight the cold winter nights. Even though all of the efforts might seem like a drop in the ocean, it still goes a long way in making a big difference in each of the precious furry lives touched.
Here’s a few highlights:
The Unconditional Love campaign
In February 2019, we were the main sponsor for The Bachelor South Africa reality TV show and created a variety of related campaigns to actively care for pets. These included:
- Full tummies for every policy sold online. We ran a meal campaign alongside the popular show. Any pet policy bought online during the time the show aired, automatically fed a pet awaiting adoption for a month on behalf of - but at no extra cost to - the policyholder. Yay, you!
- An adoption drive. We increased awareness of the plight of homeless pups with a dedicated adoption drive, endorsed and encouraged by the show’s gorgeous participants. Several deserving pets were adopted into happy homes with loving humans with the support of the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL).
Furry friends feasting on 10 000 meals
Inspired by feeding the hungry with your help and policy sign-ups during the Bachelor SA screenings, we launched an internal food drive in celebration of International Pet Week, 6 to 12 May. In 2019, we gathered and sponsored 1.1 tonnes of healthy food to needy pets at The Garden Route SPCA and Oudtshoorn Dogs in Need (ODIN). That’s 10,000 meals in all!
Our staff uplifting the local community
Beard Club, our internal band of brothers, were not afraid to get their hands dirty and to donate their time. The group assisted with all around maintenance, cleaning, kennel renovations and wall building. They managed to collect 1.2 tonnes of dog food and raised R18,000 for ODIN during the month of November. We’re proud to call these guys family.
Helping shelter pets survive the winter chill
The local community braved the icy waves of Victoria Bay for the 4th dotsure.co.za Polar Bear Plunge on July 27th 2019. The goal was to collect blankets for pets and people in need. We raised over 2,000 blankets for local animal shelters and charities. We also donated an additional R20,000 to George Night Shelter and ODIN.
Celebrating pets that are gone, but not forgotten
In honour of our four-legged family members who sadly passed away during the course of a year, we’ve decided to establish an initiative whereby we make contributions towards the feeding of shelter pets. So far, a tail-wagging R50,000 has been donated to this worthy cause, which offers a bit of consolation in sadness and continues to remind us of the beloved furry friends who, even though they’re no longer with us, have left deep forever-pawprints in our hearts.
Hosting a Night Walkies event for the AACL
On Saturday, 29 February 2020, parents and pets strolled through the streets of Emmarentia and Greenside for the dotsure.co.za Night Walkies event, all for a good cause. Over 4,000 dogs and their humans lit up the streets with bright LED collars. The sunset walk, which was in aid of the Animal Anti-Cruelty League, raised an excess of R100,000 to feed and care for shelter pets in search of their forever homes.
Here’s to many more amazing initiatives and celebrations to come! Watch this space and follow us on our social pages for the latest updates on what’s hot and happening with the pet-loving dotsure.co.za family.
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