22/07/2026
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
💔 The Edu Paw 🐾 Journey Comes to an End 💔
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that, after 10 years, the official SPCA Edu Paw Program will be closing its doors.
Edu Paw was founded, facilitated, and managed by SPCA volunteer Cathy Rhoda Keegan for 9 years until the passing of her husband and her subsequent move to Cape Town in 2025.
Volunteer Jo Douwes then stepped up to manage Edu Paw in Cathy’s absence and trained volunteer Nomfundo Mfundo Luthuli who became the program’s new facilitator. For the past year, Nomfundo has run the program with the assistance of her sister, Sphelele Sphe Luthuli while Cathy continued to manage social media.
Sadly, due to financial constraints, Nomfundo has had to take full-time employment in a job that requires her to work every Saturday and is no longer able to commit to the demands of running the program.
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as “just finding someone else.” The programme requires someone who is deeply passionate about what we do, fully committed to Saturday classes, trained through the programme to understand every aspect of it, equipped with management skills, and willing to serve without financial remuneration.
Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of working alongside the most incredible volunteers, who gave so generously of their time and hearts to help us teach children proper canine care and instil love and compassion for animals.
We would also like to sincerely thank every person who encouraged, supported, sponsored, and donated towards the running costs of Edu Paw. Because of your kindness, the lives of both children and dogs have been changed for the better.
Although the Edu Paw Programme has come to an end, we would like to assure all our supporters and donors that any donations received in Edu Paw’s name will continue to be used to uplift the lives of township dogs who are brought to the SPCA.
It has been an incredible journey and a true privilege. We are deeply grateful to every single person who has played a part in the Edu Paw story.
Our prayer is that someone who meets the necessary criteria will one day step forward to continue this work. For now, however, we regretfully have no option but to close our doors.
"A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of."
— Nelson Mandela
