Over 50 of Gauteng’s animal rehab and rescue centres gathered to showcase their work, engage with the public, and raise both awareness and much-needed funds for the sector.
Bryanston, South Africa (13 October 2025) – The event, organised by The Rescue Collective and hosted by the Bryanston Market, was described as ‘a joyful yet deeply meaningful celebration of compassion and community.’
The expo brought together animal welfare groups working across species, from cats and dogs to donkeys, pigs, rabbits, and even lions. For organiser Jennifer Gerner, the idea was simple but powerful.
“We wanted to get all the rescues in one place and give them a platform to showcase the incredible work they do,” she said. “If there’s a species of animal in South Africa, there’s a rescue for them.”
The Rescue Collective was started by three people who have spent most of their lives involved in animal welfare – Gerner, a former vet nurse for Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW), Dean Bush, founder of Greyhound Welfare SA, and Cheryl Hunter, who has been involved across all aspects of animal welfare for more than 30 years.
“It’s the only one of its kind in South Africa that we know of,” according to Gerner.
Sarah Mbotshwa, from Bryanston Market, which turns 50 next year, says the market was proud to host the event once again.
“Over two thousand people came through during the day despite some rain – it felt like the whole of Joburg turned up to support these beautiful organisations,” she said. “This market has always been about conscious living and compassion and connecting with like-minded organisations, and today that came alive.”
Behind the festive atmosphere lies a stark reality – relentless cycles of abandoned animals and overcrowded but critically underfunded shelters.
“There’s no government or lottery funding,” Gerner explained. “So rescues survive on donations and goodwill. We also run sterilisation campaigns throughout the year. It’s our way of preventing suffering before it starts.”
Visitors to the Expo browsed market stalls, supported fundraisers, and met the unsung heroes behind South Africa’s animal rescue movement.
“The rescues here are encouraged to sell merchandise to fundraise for themselves individually”, said Gerner.
“We have the annual event, but then throughout the year, the Rescue Collective carries on behind the scenes. We either pay it forward through the spayathon or through food donations or supporting other rescues throughout the year.”
Members of the public who want to get involved can contact The Rescue Collective’s Cheryl Hunter via WhatsApp on 082 441 6070.
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