The OSHANA SPCA which started operating in October last year, is putting the fun in fundraising and held their first dog show on Saturday, which saw proud owners and their pooches strutting their stuff in front of a panel of judges.

Oshana SPCA Secretary, Wilmarie Horn, said that this was the first dog show of its kind held in the region, and drew a lot of interest from pet owners, who were only too willing to bring their fancy breeds or ‘braks’ to the event.

The dog show took place at the Maurits Devenish Private School grounds, in Ongwediva, where contestants and their prize pets competed in six different categories, which included ‘Most Beautiful’, won by the handsome Titun the Rottweiler.
Other categories included Best Personality, Best Groomed, Funniest Dog, Smallest and Scruffiest Dog.

Dog owners were invited to enter their dogs at a registration fee of N$ 150 per dog, no matter the size or breed, to help raise funds for the SPCA, whilst introducing pets to some social skills.  A total of 23 entries, with 13 dogs and their owners attended and were joined by friends and family who enjoyed the festive atmosphere. The participants included Pitbulls, Basset hounds, Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweilers, a Collie mix, Jack Russel mix an Africani and a fluffy Toy Pom.

The Judges were: Charene Visser, Kores Hamutenya and Colin de Beer, with prizes sponsored by members of the community. Joe Archer Photography put up a photo booth for owners to pose for photos with their dogs, and donated a share of the sales to Oshana SPCA.

Meanwhile, the Oshana SPCA has kept a busy social fundraising calendar this year, and kicked off with a Valentine’s Day Competition in February. Next up is an Oshakati/Ongwediva Dance in September, followed by a pledge Gala Dinner in October and a Fun Day Poitjie Kos competition in November. The fundraising efforts of the Oshana SPCA is amongst others, to meet with their ambitious plan of constructing the N$4.5-million Boarding Kennels, Catteries and Kraals at Okaandje Village which will provide assistance with veterinary care, vaccinations plus spay and neuter campaigns of domestic animals and wellbeing of local livestock.

This will be the first and only animal shelter the north of Namibia and the committee is urgently appealing to the public to assist with donations, which in turn will help the local community with their animals. They are also raising much needed funds for the purchase of a vehicle.
For further details visit their Facebook page Oshana SPCA, or contact Paulus Dumeni Head: Donations & Fundraising at 081 277 0888.