PET Pals have found a new home thanks to the generous assistance of Kempston and their new spot near the Gonubie Farmer’s Hall on the R102, provides 7500m² of land for the animal sanctuary.
Marketing coordinator at Kempston, Vanessa Cotterell, said animals had been a top priority for Kempston for a number of years. “When we heard they needed to move, we tried our best to assist them.
“It is wonderful to see their love for animals. They never want to put an animal down and put in a lot of effort to give animals exercise, love and care.”
Kempston has appealed to businesses to sponsor a dog unit and put up signage for their business, which will be visible to drivers from the R102. Each dog unit costs R30000, but businesses are welcome to club together.
Pet Pals founder Sue Kriel said her landlord has extended the lease on their Holm Holl property until the end of February, when all the building should be complete. Thanks to a number of fundraisers over the last few months, they have raised the money to erect a perimeter fence.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Kempston have been able to help us in this way. Kempston have saved our animals! We would never have been able to afford land so we are forever thankful to them,” said Kriel.
Instead of bricks, Kempston have opted to build using an environmentally-friendly modular interlocking building system, which is fast to erect, affordable and easy to move if necessary.
Schools are also invited to get involved by planting gardens around the property.
It will not be a simple process for Pet Pals to raise R1.6-million to complete the project, so they have urged the public to support fundraisers in the coming months.
Running costs including labour, electricity, vet bills and rent for the sanctuary are R38000 each month, which is often a struggle to bear.
“I pray hard every day that we will make it and we do. We can’t survive without donations to pay the upkeep costs,” said Kriel.
Cotterell said: “Pet Pals cannot do anything without assistance from the community. People need to stand up and support. Kempston and Pet Pals cannot do it all on their own.”
Pet Pals will host a fundraising trail run on 30 October at the Emerald Vale Brewery in Chintsa East. There will be a choice between a 15km, 10km and 5km route beginning at 9am and costing R50 per entry. The first 100 entries will receive a free buff. Entries and registration takes place at the venue. Call Michelle if you have queries on 072-432-0141.
If you are able to sponsor a dog run or assist with any other building requirements, email Kempston at marketing@kempston.co.za or call Charlotte on 083-627-5526.
