The Rescue Collective’s inaugural Rescue Expo

15th Nov, 2022

Written and photographs supplied by Cheryl Hunter – co-founder of The Rescue Collective

More than 35 animal rescue organisations gathered together at the first-ever Rescue Expo organised by The Rescue Collectives on October the 8th 2022, in Greenside, Gauteng.

This date was chosen to align with World Animal Day – an international day of action for animal rights and welfare to raise the status of animals and improve welfare standards – celebrated annually on the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Consumers are largely unaware of the numerous NPOs doing great work under exceptionally difficult circumstances and rarely have the opportunity to engage with these organisations and understand what it is they do. The rescue expo aims to be an annual event bringing together as many of the NPOs as possible to shed light on all animal welfare, not just dogs and cats, and to educate the general public on their great work in the community.

This was an opportunity for the public to meet the incredibly dedicated people who give their lives to improve the welfare of the animals among us, and Joburgers really rose to the occasion – entrance fee for the event was a food donation to a charity of choice – and more than one ton of food was donated!

Among the organisations were Greyhound Welfare, Friends of Rescue Animals, Community Led Animal Welfare, Friends of Free Wildlife, Brainy Birds, Rat Angels, Rest ur Ass Donkey Rescue, Animal Allies, Asher’s Farm, Dachshund Haven, Border Collie Rescue, Pug Rescue, Animals in Distress, Furry Fosters, and so many more. These organisations successfully raised much-needed funds from a very generous public, created massive awareness, and educated the community on animal welfare.

The expo was made possible with the support of Lionel’s Choice pet food, Ultra Dog pet food, Pets Elite, Vitozol, Budz Bites, Cool Dogs ice cream, Bravecto, Emperor Dog Food, McMac pet products, One Plan pet insurance, Pets Eats n Treats, Pepper & Co, and Pegasus Homeopathic pet products.

Started by three people who’ve spent most of their lives involved in animal welfare – Dean Bush, founder of Greyhound Welfare SA, Jennifer Gerner, former vet nurse for Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) and me – who’ve been involved across all aspects of animal welfare for more than 30 years, The Rescue Collective will be back in 2023 and aims to be bigger and better. This is just the start of organisations working together to achieve more.

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