When a tiny, bedraggled kitten is rescued from a blocked drain and brought to our SPCA, the first priority is to make her warm and dry

April (as we named her) spent five long days stuck deep in the drain – wet, cold and alone – while Inspector Ramsamy slowly gained her trust by passing food down to her. On the fifth day, he finally managed to catch her – just before the severe weather struck again. If he’d been a day later, she would surely have drowned.

Instead, she was gently dried off and wrapped in a clean, warm blanket at our SPCA. Safe at last.

Having a cosy blanket to curl up in means the world to the dogs and cats we rescue.

Because, it’s not ‘just’ a blanket to them. It’s comfort and security … a place to hide when they’re scared … and a glimpse of what it’s like to be loved and cared for – perhaps for the first time ever.

That’s why each animal at our SPCA gets a fresh clean blanket every day. But, with 130 dogs and cats in our care right now, we need a mountain of blankets to go round. And most of ours are in a sorry state … thin and threadbare from daily washing, or chewed and clawed to pieces.

With winter on the way, please will you help us stock up with cosy new blankets before the colder weather sets in?

Whilst we appreciate every donation, if you’re able to make a cash contribution towards new blankets, you’ll enable us to buy in bulk direct from the suppliers at better prices than you get in-store. Plus, we can be sure of getting the right kind of durable, hardwearing blankets we need.

Your donation of R140 provides a small fleece blanket. R300 pays for a sherpa blanket for a large dog. Any amount you can spare to help us reach our target of 500 new blankets will be ‘warmly’ appreciated by our furry orphans.

Hurt ... lost ... frightened ... sad ... Every one of the dogs and cats in our care deserves this small comfort, until they have warm and loving homes of their own. And it’s your kindness that makes it possible.

So please, will you make your donation now towards winter warmth?