Cape Town residents put their pooches on leashes and resolutely headed for the Sea Point Promenade on Sunday March 15 for the fifth annual Paws on the Promenade.

Though numbers were down from previous years because of fears over the coronavirus pandemic, the popular dog walk still managed to raise a tidy profit for the Mdzananda animal clinic in Khayelitsha. 

Despite reduced attendance and numerous cancellations, not to mention the strong Sea Point wind, 333 people and 220 dogs decided to join in the fun. 

“What a marvelous turnout,” says event organiser Marcelle du Plessis, the clinic’s fundraising and communications manager.

She says attendance was much higher than she had expected.

“Leading up to the event I was extremely nervous as our ticket sales had dropped by 50% in comparison to the 2019 event. 

“I was expecting a decrease in numbers due to the coronavirus, but I was not expecting such a plummet. 

“However, my fears were wiped away as dogs and their owners flocked to the promenade in the morning to join us for the event.”

On a budget of just R2,620  – and with support from sponsors – Paws on the Promenade raised a profit of R37,000 for the Mdzananda animal clinic.

The 5km walk started at the Mouille Point lighthouse, to the Sea Point swimming pool and back.

It is the fifth year the event, staged in partnership with Vondi’s Holistic Pet Nutrition, has been held.

Vondi’s owner Paul Jacobson says: “Walking the most beautiful promenade with animal lovers to support our partner, the Mdzananda animal clinic, makes me a very proud business owner.” 

Mdzananda treats up to 700 sick and injured pets from Kayelitsha every month. Without the clinic’s services it would be hard for community pets to receive help, as private vets are expensive and transport is limited. 

The clinic is also heavily focussed on community education and empowerment.

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