MOSSEL BAY NEWS - There was a fun atmosphere at the Mossel Bay SPCA on Mandela Day, Tuesday 18 July.
As part of the SPCA's fundraising plans, people could have their bosses or colleagues locked up with the dogs in the kennels and pay "bail" to have them released.
A number of animal-loving residents volunteered to be locked up and had their friends bail them out and there were companies which had staff "thrown into jail".
It was an hour or so of bliss in doggie kennel "jail" as they petted the canines, who loved the attention. SPCA staffer Jolandi Esterhuizen spoke to the "prisoners" with a loud hailer and negotiated their release. There was lively music booming from a speaker in the grounds.
One of those who had been jailed, Annie Reis, said: "My husband and my friend had me locked up. I've been so excited about the experience. Huggles (a border collie-mix) and I have been dancing to the music. They said she was a high-energy dog, but I think I've tired her out!" The quote of the day came from Reis, who said: "I kissed a dog and I liked it," adapting Katy Perry's song, I kissed a girl.
The minimum "bail" was R300 - extremely little compared with what people usually have to pay to get out of tjoekie.
Varity Solomons, a Wimpy employee, said she had only found out the day before that she would be incarcerated. "I didn't mind because they said I would be with three doggie-children." The three Jack Russells were loving the attention she gave them.
Laurett Blok of Great Brak, who is an SPCA volunteer and also assists Caws for Paws, said. "I volunteered for this and now I'm WhatsApping my friends to bail me out, but I can't get hold of them!" She said her sheepdog companion in the kennel was extremely obedient and good natured.
'I kissed a dog and I liked it", said Annie Reis.
There was a Pekinese-pug cross, called Elsa, that had a really special Mandela Day. She was adopted by Brenda Maree, a Mossel Bay resident. Top dog Elsa was stroked, kissed and cuddled and bade a fond farewell by people at the SPCA when an emotional Maree came to fetch her.
Monica Coetzee from Kospot in Voorbaai said it was weird being locked up and she had felt a bit nervous because it all came as a big surprise from her colleagues on the morning of Mandela Day, but she was taking it in good spirit.
If you have not spent your 67 minutes for Mandela Day, you are welcome to do so still. Call the Mossel Bay branch of the Garden Route SPCA (044 693 0824/2034 or 082 252 0351) to find out how you can volunteer your time.
Click here to read a previous article.
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