Cape Town, do you remember Riley? Today is his 10th birthday and we at Cape {town} Etc would like to wish this young inspiring kiddo a very happy birthday. Instead of a usual birthday bash or celebration, he decided to have a donation drive for stray and abandoned dogs that land up at the Animal Welfare Society of SA, as he has a soft spot for them.
On Heritage Day, September 24, Riley, along with a group of friends, spent his birthday at the Animal Welfare Society of SA where all his donations for his Cause for Paws Project were delivered.
Riley donated 30 bags of dog food 5 – 10kgs, 30 cans of puppy food, leashes, some toys, harnesses, blankets, dog carrier bags and so much more.
Riley and his squad took a cake to the shelter and the AWS SA was kind enough to take everyone on a tour, joined by a mascot doggo named, Ponzo.
Allan Perrins from the Animal Welfare Society of SA had this to say about this great ordeal: “From the entire Animal Welfare Society team, we would like to wish Riley a happy birthday. Riley has blessed the shelter with the biggest gift this year.”
“One of the moms who were with on the tour had previously adopted from us and saw another two puppies who she would like to adopt too. Another great accomplishment on this birthday bash”, he added.
Riley and his friends were petting the dogs on their tour and even fed them dog-friendly cupcakes.
“When one of the Animal Welfare Society of SA’s staff members, Lawrence, asked the group of friends what they thought about Riley’s birthday bash, their answer was, they would like to volunteer like Riley does on the weekends and start their own donation drives too,” Allan concluded.
Riley is such a huge inspiration to many of his friends and will continue to volunteer at the shelter on Saturdays and collect food to feed the stray dogs in his own community.
“In the last few weeks, we had strays come here and wait for him at the gate in the morning to be fed. We have had to put out extra bowls of food and water and dog beds for those who spend the day here,” says Riley’s mom, Venecia Valentine.
“This is the biggest donation made by an individual, usually a corporate would donate this much. Riley is the first and also the youngest donor to AWS and also the youngest volunteer,” says the Animal Welfare Society of SA.
Also read:
Riley’s 10th birthday donation drive aimed at feeding stray and abandoned dogs
Picture: LJ Adams / Supplied