Mandela Day is just around the corner, and the animal shelters of Pretoria are ready with wagging tails, hopeful eyes, and open hearts. All they need is you.
Animal Shelters That Need Your Help This Mandela Day
If ever there was a day to do something kind, meaningful, and unforgettable, it’s Mandela Day. And what better way to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy of compassion than by supporting the animal shelters that give second chances to the fluffiest and most loyal members of our community? Across Pretoria, animal shelters are asking for just 67 minutes of your time or R67 of your resources to help feed, shelter, heal, and love animals who have been forgotten by the world but remembered by these rescue heroes. From symbolic tree tributes and cupcake sales to cuddles, cleanups, and big bags of kibble, the opportunities to help are as diverse and heartwarming as the shelters themselves. So let’s dive into how you can be part of something truly pawsitive this Mandela Day.
Mandela Day at Woodrock Animal Rescue
Woodrock Animal Shelter, located in the Hennops River Valley, is celebrating Mandela Day on Saturday, 19 July 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3 PM with their Rainbow Nation Tree Tribute. For R67, visitors can tie a ribbon—each in a national flag colour symbolising a Mandela value—to the Ubuntu Tree as a message of hope, unity, or remembrance. All funds raised will support the purchase of vital medical equipment for rescued animals, including a dental and blood analysis machine. Donations are welcome at the event, or tickets can be reserved via Quicket. For more information, email [email protected].Pretoria Dog Rescue: 67 Reasons to Show You Care
At Pretoria Dog Rescue in Centurion, every blanket, biscuit, and repost helps. This Mandela Day, they’re calling on the public to get involved in any way they can—by donating 67 blankets to warm their shelter, contributing R67 toward their vet bills (use “VET BILLS” as your payment reference), or sharing the stories of their rescue dogs with 67 friends on social media to help them find forever homes. Dry food, tinned meals, toys, or even just a like and share can help them continue their mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome. The shelter’s work is heartfelt, relentless, and powered by a community that believes every dog deserves more than survival—they deserve joy.
Tshwane SPCA: Help Us to Help Them
The Tshwane SPCA is one of Pretoria’s largest and most vital animal shelters, caring for thousands of animals annually. Their motto, “Help Us to Help Them,” becomes a call to action each Mandela Day as they welcome both donations and volunteers to support their never-ending rescue work. Financial support can be made via EFT to SPCA Tshwane’s FNB business account (Acc: 56 16 000 74 52, Branch: Centurion / 261 550). Your funds help pay for rescue operations, sterilisations, medical treatment, food, and safe shelter. Volunteers are invited to spend 67 minutes walking dogs, feeding animals, or even just sitting with shy pets that need company. Even those who can’t donate can still spread the word about this incredible organisation. Because for Tshwane SPCA, the difference between life and loss is often a matter of community support.
Wollies Animal Shelter NPC: Blankets, Bowls, and Big Hearts
In Pretoria North, Wollies Animal Shelter is home to hundreds of dogs and cats, all of whom are rescued, loved, and patiently waiting for a new beginning. This Mandela Day, Wollies is asking for help with the basics—warm blankets, comfy pet beds, nutritious food (both pellets and tins), cleaning products like washing powder, and essentials like leashes, toys, and food bowls. These might sound like small items, but for a shelter that never turns a soul away, they are the heartbeat of daily care. A clean kennel, a full bowl, and a soft place to sleep can mean everything to a rescued animal. Bring what you can and watch tails wag in gratitude.
One Stop Animal Rescue R: Quietly Saving Lives
Tucked into Pretoria East, One Stop Animal Rescue R may not be flashy or famous, but its impact is enormous. With quiet resolve and open arms, this shelter continues to rehabilitate animals that are sick, abused, or surrendered. Mandela Day is the perfect chance to show them some love. Whether you drop off food, cleaning supplies, flea treatments, or sponsor a vet bill, you’ll be helping them heal and rehome animals that have nowhere else to go. Sometimes, it’s the quiet shelters that need our loudest support.
Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre: 67 Minutes of Love
At Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre, the legacy of Mandela is honoured through action, smiles, and dirty paws. On July 18th, volunteers are invited to spend 67 minutes walking a dog, cuddling a cat, helping with shelter chores, or simply being present to love and uplift the animals in care. This is more than just a day at the shelter—it’s a community coming together with one mission: to make the world a better place, 67 minutes at a time. Wet Nose believes that small acts of kindness can change lives, and they invite you to experience it for yourself. Bring your friends, your family, and your compassion, and turn Mandela Day into an unforgettable memory of making tails wag and whiskers twitch.
Soshanguve Animal Shelter and Educenter: 67 Bags of Dog Food
In Onderstepoort, the team at Soshanguve Animal Shelter and Educenter is working toward a single, powerful goal this Mandela Day: to collect 67 bags of dog food for their rescued pups. They’ve made it incredibly easy to help. You can order from Montego by visiting www.montegopower.store or going to montego.co.za, clicking Montego Cares, selecting M-Power Store, and choosing Soshanguve Animal Shelter. Alternatively, you can order via Takealot and set the Wonderboom pickup point. The team will collect from there. For those preferring a bank transfer, donations can be made to THE DIRECTOR SOSHANGUVE ANIMAL SHELTER AND EDUCENTRE NPC, Standard Bank, Account Number: 10155394906, Branch Code: 051001. This shelter is a fully registered PBO and can issue 18A tax certificates on request. Every bag of food matters. Every donation helps a hungry tummy rest easy.
Outkittened Cat and Kitten Rescue: Small Paws, Big Needs
Outkittened Cat and Kitten Rescue specialises in giving fragile newborn kittens a second chance at life. These tiny fighters require warmth, constant care, and expensive supplies like formula, heating pads, and medical treatment. That’s why this Mandela Day, Outkittened is asking for just R67 to help keep the smallest paws healthy and safe. You can donate online by visiting this link. Prefer EFT? Send your donation to Outkittened NPC, Nedbank, Account Number: 1215893639, Branch: Centurion, Code: 198765. Don’t forget to DM them your proof of payment so they can personally thank you. With your help, these little meows can grow into mighty purrs.
Friends of Ferals: Mandela Day with Our Kitties
In Centurion, Friends of Ferals is hosting an event that’s bound to be the cat’s whiskers. On 19 July 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Plot 49, R511, you’re invited to spend your 67 minutes in the company of rescue cats that could use a cuddle, a play session, or even a coat of fresh paint on their shelters. Bring your DIY skills, your baking talent (they’re collecting 67 cupcakes for sale), or drop off 67 tins or kilograms of food to help fill those tiny bellies. Want to donate from home? EFTs can be made to Friends of Ferals, FNB, Account Number: 62754359852, Branch Code: 250655, Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ, using "Mandela Day" as your reference. It's a purrfect way to show you care.
This Mandela Day, Pretoria’s animal shelters are rolling out the welcome mat and wagging tails, asking only for your time, your compassion, or your kindness. Whether you’re donating R67, baking cupcakes, tying ribbons to trees, or simply offering a warm hand to a nervous rescue, your 67 minutes can echo for a lifetime. These animal shelters aren’t just safe spaces for pets—they are places where hope is rebuilt, love is restored, and change is born. This year, make your Mandela Day meaningful.
FAQs
1. What do animal shelters need most this Mandela Day?
Animal shelters need food, blankets, cleaning supplies, and financial donations for vet bills and equipment.
2. Can I volunteer at more than one shelter?
Yes, most shelters welcome visitors. It’s best to contact them directly to plan your visits and see what help they need.
3. Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, some shelters like Soshanguve are registered PBOs and issue 18A certificates.
4. What if I can’t visit in person?
You can donate online, order from wishlists, or promote the shelter’s needs on social media.
5. Is R67 really enough to make a difference?
Absolutely. That small donation helps fund meals, medical care, and essentials.
6. How do I know where my donation goes?
Reputable shelters provide transparency, regular updates, and financial accountability.
7. Can I adopt a pet on Mandela Day?
Yes! Many shelters use Mandela Day to promote adoptions. It’s a perfect time to welcome a furry friend.
8. What’s the best way to spread awareness?
Share shelter posts, talk to friends, or bring colleagues with you to volunteer.
9. Do shelters accept second-hand goods?
Yes, clean blankets, bowls, and toys are often welcomed with open paws.
10. Where can I find a list of shelters near me?
Visit pretoria.co.za or search shelters by name on Facebook or Google Maps.
