I've just discovered the most fantastic site and absolutely LOVE their idea of collecting and distributing Christmas packs for numerous animal shelters around South Africa to show our less fortunate furry friends a bit of love this Christmas:
Santa Cause for Paws is committed to collecting and distributing Christmas packs made up by the public to various animal shelters around Johannesburg. Their aim is to make Christmas a little more special for cats and dogs in shelters this year by providing them with treats that they would otherwise go without.
They have chosen the following organisations as their beneficiaries for 2013:
4Paws
Alberton SPCA
Border Collie Rescue
Brakpan SPCA
Cat Village
CLAW
FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals)
Hellen White Working in the Community
Kitty Puppy Haven
Wollies Animal Project
The greatest gift one can give ... is the gift of love
Something warm - This could include a blanket or jersey; even handmade would be wonderful!
Something yum - Please include a tin of food AND a treat of some sort. Please avoid rawhide treats and cow hooves as these pose a choking risk (shelter dogs are not supervised at all times) and bigger dogs can break off pieces that can cause harm. For cats, any brand of treat is ideal for our feline friends.
Something useful - Please include something that will be useful to your pledged cat or dog; this could include Tick & Flea shampoo, a collar, Bob Martins or a food bowl etc.
Something fun - All animals like something to play with! Great ideas would be a ball, catnip toy, squeeky toy or teddy bear etc. There are so many toys to choose from!
Please remember:
Avoid treats or toys that might pose a choking risk (that can be chewed into small pieces and swallowed or break into sharp pieces, like cow hooves, rawhide).
Keep dog sizes in mind when buying a collar or jersey; if you have pledged a medium size dog, please ensure that you pack the correct sizing.
Kindly ensure that you pack kitten/puppy food if you have pledged a kitten/puppy.
If possible, please pack your goodies into a small box (we will not turn anything away, so if you do not have a box, a packet will be perfect!)
If you are unable to sponsor a whole package, we will be more than happy to accept individual items hich we will use to make up whole packs for other shelter animals.
Please support this wonderful initiative by visiting Santa Paws or find them on Facebook.