The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) is holding a lottery with a R25 000 cash prize to keep its doors open and keep offering their services to animals in need.
This is according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS.
The “Happy Paws Lottery” opened on 1 June and will run until 31 August, when the name of the winner will be drawn, explained Perrins.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch facilitated 1180 animal adoptions in the 2020 and 2021 period, according to the organisation’s 2020/21 annual report. PHOTO: Connor Cogill
“With many of our traditional fundraising avenues being put on hold, we have had to find innovative ways to keep the doors of AWSS open,” said Perrins. “The lottery will raise much needed funding, and at the same time supporters stand the chance of winning too.”
The lottery is registered with the National Lotteries Commission South Africa, according to the competition’s advertisement on AWSS social media.
A puppy’s plight
Lottery tickets sold on the AWSS website cost R100 each, with 1 000 tickets available. This brings the total money accumulated from the lottery to R100 000, of which AWSS will keep R75 000 and the winner will receive R25 000, Perrins told MatieMedia via written correspondence.
The lottery comes at a time when “existing challenges” for animal welfare have been exacerbated, and this causes the plight of vulnerable animals to become “that much more devastating”, explained Perrins.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) relies on the generosity of individuals, companies, and trusts and foundations for their funding, said Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS. PHOTO: Connor Cogill
“Last month, 90 dogs and 31 cats were admitted into our care,” said Perrins. “All proceeds raised will go towards the care and running of our kennels and cattery.”
At the time of publication, AWSS had sold 82 tickets, according to their website. It costs approximately R350 to care for one animal per month, said Perrins. This means that, with the money accumulated thus far, the organisation can care for one animal for almost two years.
Winning for welfare
Monetary contributions, whether in the form of donations or partaking in initiatives such as the lottery, is the best way to help organisations like AWSS. This is according to Grietjie Brummer, a regular AWSS volunteer.
The Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) is always in need of volunteers, whether in the form of “your time, talents or expertise”, according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS. Pictured is Grietjie Brummer, a regular AWSS volunteer. PHOTO: Connor Cogill
“I think it would be best to contribute money,” said Brummer. “I think it would be best because it can be used for variable resources. It could be used for food, or for any healthcare that the animals need.”
“I entered [the lottery] because I thought it was a good idea to get people involved in supporting animal welfare. I also wanted to donate, but I thought that if I win R25 000, that would be cool, too,” said Cameron Seboa, a Happy Paws Lottery entrant.
Should the lottery be a success, AWSS will consider hosting another one in the near future, added Perrins.
An infographic illustrating how many animals can be taken care of by the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) for a month by different lottery ticket sales. It costs approximately R350 for AWSS to care for an animal for a month, according to Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications at AWSS. GRAPHIC: Connor Cogill