Give a Rescue Dog a Little Extra Love This Mandela Day

Photo Credit: Pexels

Paws R Us SA is inviting South Africans to honour Mandela Day by donating a shoebox of essentials or spending 67 minutes with rescue dogs waiting for a second chance.

Johannesburg, South Africa (06 July 2026) – As South Africans prepare to honour Mandela Day through acts of service, one animal rescue organisation is encouraging people to extend that spirit of kindness to some of its most overlooked residents, rescue dogs still waiting for a forever home.

Paws R Us SA has launched its Mandela Shoebox initiative, inviting supporters to put together care packages filled with essentials that will bring comfort, enrichment and a little extra love to dogs spending the winter in the shelter.

Each shoebox can include simple items such as nutritious food, a warm blanket, treats and a durable toy.

The organisation is also offering supporters the opportunity to sponsor one, with volunteers assembling the care package on their behalf for a rescue dog.

The initiative doesn’t end with donations. On Mandela Day, supporters are also invited to spend their 67 minutes at the rescue by walking dogs, helping around the shelter or simply giving the animals some much-needed attention and affection.

Whether it’s a shoebox filled with essentials or time spent at the shelter, the organisation believes every act of kindness helps remind its rescue dogs that they have not been forgotten.

Those who would like to donate a Mandela Shoebox, sponsor one, or volunteer their 67 minutes can find all the relevant contact details and banking information below.

Sponsor a Mandela Shoebox (R250):

Reference: MANDELA + your chosen dog’s name
Account Name: PAWS R US (SA)
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Type: Cheque Account
Account Number: 402 263 510

Drop off Mandela Shoebox donations:

BF Kennels & Cattery: Plot 20, Riversands, Fourways, Gauteng

Supporters are also welcome to visit the rescue on Saturday, 18 July 2026 (Mandela Day) to personally deliver a Mandela Shoebox to a rescue dog and spend time with the animals.