Senior shelter dog Ray has waited almost half his lifetime for a forever home. But, just a day ago, his wait came to a heartwarming end as he joined a new family at long last!

Fourways, South Africa (15 October 2024) — It’s been a long road home for senior dog Ray, who has waited nearly five years for a family to call his own. But, as the saying goes, ‘Every dog has its day’, and Ray’s day came at long last ever so recently when the senior good boy was finally picked as the perfect addition to a new family!

Ray was born in 2015; which means by the time his wait began, he was already an older dog. And when you’re an older dog, every month (never mind, every year) counts significantly in a shelter.

Choosing to adopt senior dogs takes a special kind of family. It means patience and the acceptance that you won’t have all that long with them. But man, oh man, is there something to be said about giving a dog—who has waited a huge part of their life for a home—their golden years in full glory. 

Ray will get to enjoy the rest of his days with a big garden, ‘two doting humans’ and even a furry girlfriend called Jazz, as his former shelter Paws R Us: SA happily share.

For his shelter, which is based in Fourways, Ray’s adoption by Maureen and Peter mattered not just for the pooch but the fate of their shelter as a whole.

As the shelter explains, they are currently facing a ‘race against time’. Because their boarding facility is a private business and will reach its peak capacity in December and January, their shelter dogs need to move to create space for more incoming ‘client dogs’. As such, they have upped the ante on their adoption posts immensely.

Their goal is to get down to 60 dogs by 1 December should their wishes for multiple adoptions be granted.

As such, they are calling on dog lovers across Gauteng to spread the word about their dogs in need of a home. Some of these pooches are like Ray and have waited a lifetime to leave camp.

Whether this means playing foster parent, simply sharing the news with someone looking to add a pooch to their lives or adopting yourself, the more people who get involved and connect dogs in need to their communities, the better!

You can keep up with Paws R Us: SA here.

Sources: Paws R Us: SA 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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An adoption event for puppies in need, in Cape Town, might just bring you a few paw-steps closer to the next four-legged member of your family!

Cape Town, South Africa (06 September 2024) — Animal-focused organisations the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa and Paws-A-While are preparing for a big Saturday in Cape Town—a shelter pups adoption event!

Set to be held at every dog lover’s favourite museum—The Museum of Dogs that recently marked its territory in the city—the event is a fantastic chance for those looking to add a four-legged friend to their lives to consider adopting.

Why Should I Adopt Instead of Shopping?

The phrase ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ is as popular as it is for a reason!

In South Africa (and the world, for that matter), there are countless abandoned and stray animals who make their way to shelters. While these shelters are very much champions of rescues and hope for these animals, they also face lots of challenges. Being under-resourced, having too many animals to care for and navigating the reality of trying to handle all of this while relying on donations are just some of them. When you adopt, you’re not only giving a pet in need a chance at a life beyond their wildest dreams, but you’re also helping the shelter make space for the next pup.

However, it’s all-important to remember not to see the puppy as just a puppy, but rather as the dog it will become. So, remember to push the idea of novelty aside and consider the pooch’s place in your life long-term.

The adoption event will give potential new owners a chance to interact with the dogs and get to know them better through play, cuddles and a lot of fun. Even if you can’t take on a pooch, it’s always worth spreading the word!

Details:

When: 7 September from 10:00 am – 13:00 pm

Where: 95 Keerom Street, Cape Town City Centre

Meanwhile, in happy adoption news, Sharky, the pup with a smile like no other, has successfully found a home after weeks of no one applying for him! You can read all about his happy ending here.

Sources: PAWS-A-While/ Animal Welfare Society of SA 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Sharky, the little Joburg puppy with a smile like no other, has found his forever home at long last after no one applied to adopt the poor pooch. Needless to say, his smile is even bigger these days!

Johannesburg, South Africa (30 August 2024) — The shark that barks, little Sharky the puppy with a smile like no other, has found his forever home at last!

It was “the best news ever” for the Pet Empowerment in Townships Johannesburg team, who, with great determination and commitment, had been sharing Sharky’s search for a family to call his own.

A young pup who was welcomed into their care earlier this year, Sharky was introduced to the world at the end of June. Although many people part of the PET community rallied behind Sharky (and were a part of his naming process), finding a home wasn’t easy for the toothy pup. In fact, no one had even applied the last time we checked in on Sharks.

Many long weeks would go by, with Sharky waiting in anticipation while being fostered at doggy daycare.

However, Sharky’s story took a wonderful turn when Caryn Kotze decided that the playful pup with loads of personality would be a perfect addition to her family (which includes another rescue from PET, Phonix the pooch).

Few things warm our hearts quite as much as happy tails like this. If you’re feeling inspired to change the life of a dog in need, you can check PET out here.

Meanwhile, in other stories where a dog in need of a forever home has stolen the internet’s hearts, Mr Gooby, the SPCA Randburg’s longest resident, has been on many Joburger’s minds. Now, all he needs is one family to welcome him into their home and hearts!

Sources: PET Johannesburg 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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It’s not every day that you get a delicious meal and a first glance at your future best friend in the same sitting, but thanks to Massimo’s pizza adoption boxes, the best of both worlds continue to collide:

Hout Bay, South Africa (07 February 2024) — For animal and pizza lovers, Massimo’s pizza adoption boxes couldn’t be a more perfect pairing. Perhaps the only way for the pizzeria—whose delicious slices have been ranked among the world’s best pizza—to improve their servings, the special surprise on their takeaway boxes continues to win over hearts and tummies.

If you’ve ordered a takeaway from Massimo’s and are wondering how an adorable animal found its way onto your pizza box, here is the story behind it:

In 2021, Massimo’s (a longtime champion of community causes) launched a special campaign to assist DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group) to help spread the word about their animals who needed to find forever homes. Cleverly, the pizzeria decided to make the most of something almost everyone loves (good pizza) and convenience (takeaways).

They decided to place “Adopt Me” flyers on their takeaway boxes with the hopes of helping DARG with placing the pets.

Years later and our hearts are so warmed to know that the mission is still cooking!

The adoption snapshots feature photos of the floofs in need and information about them (like whether they are good with kids, their age and, of course, a little about their personalities) with hopes of helping DARG with placements. And since most people make better decisions when they’re full and happy, the project couldn’t be a perfect way to facilitate happy homes.

Beyond Massimo’s pizza adoption boxes, this spot has a track record of doing good for the sake of good. In 2015, they began a ‘pay-it-forward’ campaign so people could buy R10 ‘virtual’ slices of pizza, with every six slices affording one charity an entire pizza. When the business closed down during the pandemic, Massimo ensured that pizzas were donated to July 2020 fire victims. And last year, they launched another adoption-positive ‘loyalty card’ programme along with The Pelican in Hout Bay. This allowed customers who had adopted a dog from DARG, Border Collie Rescue Cape Town, TEARS or the Animal Welfare Society of SA to gift their new adopted friend free meals from either restaurant.

Sources: Massimo’s/GTG 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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An anti-poaching hero who led a brave life as a tracking dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer. However, her retirement has led her to the hands and care of other conservation heroes who are dedicated to making however long she has left, a wonderful life.

Hartebeesport, South Africa (06 September 2023) — Anti-poaching dog heroes are some of the most important boots on the ground when it comes to foiling poachers’ plans. These paws of conservation efforts lead brave lives, but even the top dogs need a little hero intervention of their own sometimes.

Recently, Nala, an anti-poaching tracking dog from Global Conservation Force working for the Endangered Wildlife Trust, took an early retirement. The gorgeous Belgian Malinois was diagnosed with terminal cancer, so she needed some heroes of her own to intervene to make her retirement magic (though she is thankfully said to be blissfully unaware of her health plight).

Fittingly, her new adoptive family happen to fit the heroic bill perfectly and also comes from her world where wildlife protective efforts are always the order of the day.

They are none other than Brendan and Danelle Murray who founded the Owl Rescue Centre; responsible for incredible rescues (big and small, feathered or otherwise) in numerous disclosed and undisclosed parts of South Africa, including the likes of Banjo the baby baboon.

Now, Nala has the chance to retire in the best care.

“She can travel to work with us if she wants, she can play, she can sleep on the couch and binge on Netflix and chicken nuggets. However long she has left, she will have a great life,”—the Owl Rescue Centre’s heroes shared.

Meanwhile in other conservation news to get excited about, African Parks recently acquired 2000 Southern White Rhinos to rewild—a massive move for the non-governmental organisation in an effort to give the species fighting for its continuation a better chance.

Sources: Owl Rescue Centre

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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