GAWS AT WORK AND PLAY

Penny Sparrowhawk

A Special Afternoon at GAWS

The last Saturday of March saw families from across our community gather at GAWS for a joyful afternoon celebrating the opening of our new cat hotel, The Cat’s Cradle, alongside our newly built dog boarding kennels.

The event was filled with laughter as children took part in beanbag games happily fuelled by hot dogs and juice. Local artist and children’s art teacher, Gabby van Heerden, added a creative touch to the day, guiding young visitors in making colourful badges inspired by their favourite pets.

A highlight for many was the gentle presence of Artemis, a pony from our Equine Rescue Unit, who gave the children a special hands-on introduction.

It was a heartwarming afternoon — a true celebration of animals, community, and the shared love that connects them.

Introducing The Cat’s Cradle

The day also marked the official opening of The Cat’s Cradle — a specially designed cat hotel featuring ten beautifully crafted spaces for cats and kittens.

This special project was the vision of our local interior designer Dee de Kock, who not only conceptualised the space but spent weeks fixing, scraping and painting. From double-storey cat kennels and climbing structures to hammocks and an outdoor play area. Even our local knitters at Ribbons & Roses contributed the cat’s blankets.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors, this “cat haven” now offers a safe, comfortable, environment for cats in our care — whether for boarding, medical treatment, or while awaiting adoption. If you would like to sponsor a ‘crib’ or contribute in any way, we would be grateful.

Visitors are always welcome to come and see this special space and learn more about the work GAWS is doing in the community.

GAWS at Work

While moments like these are worth celebrating, much of GAWS’ work happens under more challenging circumstances.

Over the past two months, a severe canine distemper outbreak has affected dogs across our valley, placing immense strain on both the community and GAWS resources. In response, nearly 1,000 vaccinations have been carried out through door-to-door efforts by our dedicated volunteers and staff, led by the tireless Christine Glover.

The next critical phase — administering booster vaccinations — is now underway to contain the spread of this devastating disease.

As a non-profit organisation, GAWS relies entirely on the generosity of private individuals and receives no government funding. While this campaign has significantly stretched our resources, it has not diminished our determination to protect our community dogs.

We appeal to the community to support this vital work with no amount too small.

Donations can be made to: Greyton Animal Welfare Society Standard Bank Account Number: 082 180 652 Reference: DISTEMPER