MySchool | Supporting animal welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic

MySchool MyVillage My Planet has announced that it is extending its funding efforts to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19, adding a further R500 000 for South African animal welfare organisations to its donations to date. The community loyalty programme has already donated R500 000 to the Solidarity Fund and, in partnership with Woolworths, R500 000 to Gift of the Givers.

The latest contribution to animal welfare, which will be divided between 20 different organisations, comes on top of the continuing work by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet to support its existing beneficiaries within the national lockdown scenario. It emanates from the MyPlanet component of the community loyalty programme, in recognition of the negative impact of the pandemic on the well-being of domestic animals, thousands of which have been abandoned.

“We are extremely grateful for the work these organisations do, and are even more grateful to our supporters who enable us to make these donations every time they swipe their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet or linked Woolies cards,” says Pieter Twine, General Manager at the community loyalty programme. 

“Our partners, who include Woolworths, Engen Foods, Loot.co.za, Bidvest Waltons and many others, also play a large role in helping ordinary South Africans make a meaningful contribution to the work being carried out. Our supporters can swipe their cards at any one of our retail partners or when purchasing essentials online, to help support their chosen cause, and continue to give back to those who need it most” explains Twine.

MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet’s selection of the 20 organisations to share the donation is based on specific criteria. These include ensuring a fair spread of assistance across the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet footprint of animal welfare beneficiaries, donating to organisations that are providing help to the largest number of animals, and organisations that work in under-resourced communities. All the organisations identified have worked with MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet in the past and have a successful track record of action.

Each organisation is set to receive R25 000 from MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet to help them stock up on essential resources such as food and medical supplies, as well as necessities for staff. 

“These organisations are all going above and beyond the call of duty during the national lockdown,” says Twine. “One of the many examples is the staff at the SPCA Cape of Good Hope, who have quarantined themselves with the animals on-site to ensure they are cared for, and so that stray and critically ill animals can still be admitted.”

He adds that some of the other organisations have put measures in place that allow for animals in need to still be dropped off, or continue to provide exercise to our four-legged and furry friends within the constraints of the lockdown.