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15 August 2011

Media Release: PPA hands over a new dog for TMNP’s visitor safety dog unit

Purdy, a two-year old German Shepherd, was handed over to her new handler on Saturday 13 August, at the TMNP offices at Kloof Nek. In addition to funding the dog, the PPA is also funding Purdy”s food for a year, bringing the total sponsorship amount to R22 000.

“The Pedal Power Association is delighted to be able to donate a patrol dog to be used on Table Mountain to assist with the future safety of not only PPA members, but all cyclists, hikers and runners who use “our” mountain,” said PPA”s Chairman, Steve Hayward. “We hope that Purdy will have many long and happy years of active service.”

“We are in the fortunate position that the Pedal Power Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont are the beneficiaries of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, who organises, amongst others, the annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The PPA uses any profits received in this way to run the Association, and, in 2011-2012, will plough over R1,85 million into 39 cycling-related projects,” Steve said.

What is the Gift-a-Patrol-Dog campaign?

The Gift-a-Patrol-Dog campaign, spear-headed by the Table Mountain National Park Honorary Rangers began with the donation of six new kennels built by the Waterfront Rotary Club. The building of these kennels, housed at the TMNP Kloof Nek office, sparked a renewed interest in the dog unit resulting in the sponsorship of three new German Shepherds. Orbit donated by Acsis VOB Running Club, was quickly followed by Rocky¬ from K9 Training Centre and Kennels and Esko from Waterfront Rotary Club, with Purdy now joining the pack.

Royal Canin also came on board by subsidizing the feeding programme for all the dogs in the unit.

The goal of the campaign is to see the unit increase to 10 dogs.

Who is the Pedal Power Association?

The Pedal Power Association is the largest cycling organization in the Western Cape, and the biggest provincial cycling body in the country. It currently has some 20 000 paid-up members.

Founded in 1976 as the Western Province Pedal Power Association, the PPA (a Public Benefit Organisation) came into being as a result of the running of the first Cycle Tour that was to develop into the now-world famous Cape Argus Pick “n Pay Cycle Tour.

For further queries about the campaign, or to find out more about sponsoring a dog, contact Sue Smith of the TMNP Honorary Rangers on 083 461 9686, or e-mail: [email protected].

Issued By

Wanika Rusthoi: Public Relations Officer: Cape Region, South African National Parks, mobile: 072 060 8188, tel: (021) 701 8692, e-mail: [email protected]

Media Queries:

  • Wanika Rusthoi: Public Relations Officer: Cape Region, South African National Parks, mobile: 072 060 8188, tel: (021) 701 8692, e-mail: [email protected]
  • Karin Pohl: General Manager at Pedal Power Association, tel: (021) 689 8420, e-mail: [email protected]