With BOSS Dog Food & Getroud met Rugby
It’s been almost a decade since I first visited CLAW (Community Led Animal Welfare) in Durban Deep, Roodepoort. I’d come across their Facebook page quite by accident and after reading about how they were helping rescue animals (many of them beloved pets) in Bapsfontein after an informal settlement was demolished, I knew this was an organisation I wanted to help. The Bapsfontein story was an awful one. Homes were destroyed and the residents were relocated into nearby flats, unable to take their animals with them. Many people refused to leave the wreckage of their homes until they knew their animals were safe, CLAW assisted in giving them some peace of mind by taking their animals in. I cannot imagine the heartbreak. I called Cora Bailey and asked if I could come through and take some photos to help these animals find new homes, she agreed, off I went and the rest is history.
CLAW is primarily a veterinary hospital, providing care for the animals in the local, often impoverished, communities, by default they have also become a shelter. The clinic is a place for people to bring their injured animals for treatment and also a place to bring animals that are no longer wanted or can no longer be cared for properly.
The 2020 pandemic has meant a huge number of dogs being brought into CLAW by local residents who simply cannot afford to care for their animals anymore. For the sake of the animals and the people who’ve had to part with them, it’s important that they get another chance of a forever family home.
I go as often as I can to photograph the CLAW dogs because professionally shot images get more eyes on the dogs which often helps them get rehomed, fast. As quickly as the dogs get adopted more come in, so all the stops have been pulled out for this latest shoot in collaboration with BOSS Dog Food and Getroud met Rugby to get 11 CLAW dogs a new home before the holidays.
Social media coverage is where it’s at when it comes to rehoming dogs. The more eyes we can get onto the dogs at CLAW, the greater the chances of someone seeing and falling in love with the dog of their dreams. BOSS Dog Food sponsored the adoption campaign and the handsome Stryder family actors from GMR agreed to help the dogs shine.
Finding home for CLAW dogs can be a challenge because they’re mixed breed mutts (my personal favourite). Don’t be put off by their lack of ‘pedigree’ these unique dogs are (mostly) very smart, easy to train, great with other dogs because they’re kept together in runs at the shelter and have super personalities.
If a puppy is more your style, there are always plenty at the CLAW clinic. We had the pleasure of a whole litter of pups for this shoot.
As Christmas approaches, shelters start to fill up. People who haven’t arranged kennels or house sitters for their December holidays off load dogs. Shockingly, I’ve heard people say, “I’ll just get another dog next year”. So the clock is ticking to get the dogs in our campaign homed and make some space for the impending deluge of dogs that CLAW expects to receive.
If you’re thinking about adopting a dog from a shelter, don’t be put off by the rumours that rescue dogs are difficult or damaged. Some are if they have a history of abuse – CLAW will advise you – but most aren’t. I have five rescues and aside from stealing my heart and the odd TV remote, they don’t have an behaviour issues that a regular dog wouldn’t have too. I wrote a post about shelter dog adoption which you might find useful here.
There are other ways to help shelter dogs if you can’t adopt. You can volunteer at a shelter to walk and play with the dogs, you can drop off donations of food and you can, of course, donate money.
The CLAW team, Getroud met Rugby, BOSS Dog Food and I would love to see the dogs in this post have a home and a family of their own this Christmas. Some of the dogs have been waiting for months and it’s time they got to start a new life.
If any of these fabulous dogs have caught your eye, you find out more about them and arrange a time to meet them by calling Michelle at CLAW on 083 395 3011.
At the time of writing this, Poppy, Simon, Gertrude, Brownie, Sophie and Loki are still waiting to be adopted. Please help us to network these amazing dogs by sharing this post on your social media.
Huge thanks to the Getroud met Rugby actors for being so amazing with the dogs and for stripping off for a good cause, BOSS Dog Food for making this campaign possible, Woof Woof bandanas for styling the dogs and Benji & Moon for the lovely collars and leads.
Please visit CLAW’s Facebook page here to learn more about the work they do and how you can help.