A pet is often the only consistent source of love and companionship in the life of a person experiencing homelessness. And it’s this unconditional love, which goes both ways, that has inspired the Cape of Good Hope SPCA to support animals whose unfortunate circumstances stand in the way of proper care.
Cape Town, South Africa (16 April 2025) – Imagine having to endure long, cold, hard and uncertain days with not much but the clothes on your back and the comfort of your trusted furry companion to see you through it all.
For many members of Cape Town’s homeless community, the only love they know comes in the form of four paws that curl up with them on cardboard beds.
The unshakeable bond between Riley and Chuckie perfectly captures this emotional reality. Riley, a two-year-old street dog who has never known a soft bed, has always known Chuckie, his human. Life has thrown everything at them: hunger, cold nights, uncertain tomorrows. But through it all, they’ve had each other.
“That love goes both ways,” shares the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“A homeless pet owner will spend their last R10 on food, not for themselves, but for their dog. But love alone can’t prevent disease. Love can’t stop a litter of puppies from being born into hardship. And love can’t cover the R900 needed to vaccinate, sterilise and microchip a best friend.”
Empathising with the hardships destitute pet owners face every day, a partnership between the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and AtFrits Dog Hotel & Daycare Centre has given life to the Cape Town Pet Upliftment Project.
The heartwarming initiative aims to bring essential care such as sterilisation, vaccination and microchipping, directly to pets of the homeless, because on the streets, love isn’t the problem; access to care is.
Funds raised through public support will contribute to the project, which includes vaccinations and microchipping at the SPCA Mobile Clinic, while sterilisation will be done at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“Please help us lighten the load on the people who already carry too much—and give their beloved pets the care they need to stay safe, healthy, and by their side,” the SPCA appeals.
To support the project, visit the Cape Town Pet Upliftment Project page.
Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
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