“At the end of the day, they are living beings, they have a soul, they have a heart just like humans and I just think this is something we should celebrate,” says Tayla van Heerden (20), chairperson of Maties PAW (Promoting Animal Welfare).
The annual International Animal Day was celebrated on Thursday with an event on the Rooiplein where students got to take a break from their busy schedules to play with puppies from the Stellenbosch Animal Shelter.
Judith Ramler (22) and Lara Valent (20), exchange students from Germany and the Netherlands pat one of the puppies in the puppy-pen on Thursday’s Animal Day event on the Rooiplein. PHOTO: Lauren Dold
According to Van Heerden this event is not only an opportunity to create awareness about shelter animals, but it also creates a relaxing environment for students.
“We know how students get caught up in stress and the world around them, and forget about the simple things in life. Now they can walk on the Rooiplein, hold a puppy and feel a whole lot better,” she says.
“That is what animals do. They take you away from your busy life and just bring you back down to earth.”
Maties PAW brought the pooches to the people on the Rooiplein! VIDEO: Kelly-Jane Turner
One of the puppies tries to lick Stellenbosch University (SU) student Sarah De Lauwere (19). PHOTO: Nicolette van Schalkwyk
Carmen Malan, an Animal Science student and attendee, agrees.
“You can play with the dogs and forget about your life for a while; you can forget about your thesis and your exams and just experience a moment of absolute love.”
Anel du Plessis (23), Carmen Malan (23) Angelique Henn (24) and Tenisha Roos (23) playing with two of the puppies on the Rooiplein. PHOTO: Nicolette van Schalkwyk.
As Maties PAW is a non-profit organization, they are completely reliant on donations from the public and fundraisers such as this. The funds raised on Animal Day will go towards various shelters including the Cart Horse Protection Association, Eagle Encounters, Drakenstein Lion Park, Animal Welfare and Lucky Lucy.
Van Heerden says they cater for a variety of shelters as their focus is not specifically on dogs.
Besides the funds raised during the day, the event itself also benefits the animals, says Van Heerden.
“The dogs are so used to being in the shelter, but they love being surrounded by people. Here they get the attention and love they deserve.”
Anel du Plessis (22), an SU Animal Science student and attendee, says that bringing puppies to the Rooiplein is a very successful way of creating awareness about shelter animals.
“It is an extremely visual way of getting people to notice a very worthy cause,” she says. “I love animals so I came running when I saw the puppies. I think what Maties PAW is doing is really great and I would love to support them.”
Tassin Jackson (24), vice chairman of Maties PAW, says that it is important to create awareness in a fun and interactive way.
“These events help us to reach people that are not part of the society. It unites all students and it is just amazing to watch how animals can bring people together.”
Maties Paw is one of many civic organisations in the Western Cape contributing to the welfare of shelter animals. INFOGRAPHIC: Lauren Dold
According to Angelique Henn (24), an SU Animal Science student, events such as this also highlight the importance of the adoption process.
“You may want a golden retriever, but you don’t necessarily know you can get one at the shelter. This just brings it under your attention that these dogs can actually be adopted.”
The Maties PAW Animal Day activities were rounded off with a screening of the animation film The Lion King at the Pulp Cinema in the Neelsie.
Watch a 360 video of cute puppies in a pen! VIDEO: Kelly-Jane Turner
-Nicolette van Schalkwyk, Lauren Dold & Kelly-Jane Turner