The 14th Edu-Paw class of 2024 were treated to a big, delicious cake to celebrate the success of their eight-week programme.
Amanzimtoti, South Africa (18 November 2024) – Edu-Paw continues to work with children from the Amanzimtoti area, helping them learn to care for their beloved dogs. The organisation runs an eight-week programme and the 14th class of 2024 just graduated. They got treated to a little graduation celebration and were sent a very special cake.
The eight-week Canine Care Programme guides 12 children and their beloved dogs through obedience training and helps build strong bonds between the children and pets. The programme can only take in 12 children at a time, keeping the class and dogs to a manageable number.
The Edu-Paw programmes are run through the Amanzimtoti SPCA. They work with children from surrounding communities. The organisation’s work helps children learn compassion for animals and leads entire communities to shift and prevent animal abuse and neglect.
When each child starts in the programme, their dogs are vaccinated, sterilised if needed and dewormed. They are given a collar, lead, bed, blankets, dog food and all the tools needed to raise and care for a dog.
Every week, the team feeds each of the dogs and gives the children and volunteers a juice and snack.
This intake celebrated their graduation with a delicious sweet treat, something many of the children didn’t expect.
However, every Saturday, outside the Edu Paw gate, a hopeful group of “non-class” dogs and their owners gather, looking for a little extra help. This is known as the Sidewalk Programme. A team of volunteers help manage this so that even though the children don’t get to be involved in the classes, they get some form of support until it’s their turn to enrol. Edu-Paw recently shared thanks to their sponsors and volunteers who manage the Sidewalk programme and were able to gift food to the children’s dogs.
“Although we often don’t have enough to feed these pups, last weekend was different. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, our dedicated volunteers, Dom and Sphesihle, managed to feed around a dozen hungry dogs waiting outside. 🐾❤️
The food donations we receive are primarily for the dogs of the children enrolled in our 8-week canine care programme, kids who are committed to learning how to care for their pets. As a token of gratitude, we also like to reward our young isiZulu volunteers with food for their own dogs, recognizing their dedication and helping hands.
Thank you to everyone who makes moments like these possible. Together, we’re creating a more compassionate world for animals and the people who love them.”
With the help of donors, they are able to continue this incredible community service. You can reach out to Edu-Paw via Facebook to lend a helping hand.
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