Kennels For a Cause

22/07/2025

Just over four years ago, when I first discovered the desperate need for kennels, I don’t think I truly grasped just how critical it was. The reality of dogs with no shelter - nowhere to sleep, nowhere to seek shelter from the rain or scorching sun - gripped my heart like a vice. That moment changed me.

It was then that my motto was born:
"Knowing the incredible need that’s out there is crazy… but doing nothing about it is even crazier."

Since then, we’ve spent countless hours building and painting kennels - more hours than I’d like to admit. Sometimes it feels like a mere drop in the ocean. But knowing what these animals endure and choosing not to act? That’s just not an option.

I also know I’m not walking this road alone. There are amazing individuals out there giving so much of themselves to meet this heartbreaking need, and today I want to highlight just a few of them:

🦸‍♀️Adele from Giving is Living- Cape Town builds sturdy kennels using pallet wood and corrugated sheets. At only R300 each, they provide essential shelter to dogs in need. Adele pours so much heart into her work, and her efforts extend beyond the animals - uplifting people and communities along the way.

💜 Sam from Purple Kennel Project - Cape Town has been a massive inspiration to me since the beginning. She gave me advice, encouragement, and so much more when I launched Kennels for a Cause. Her plastic kennels come in three sizes:

Medium – R440

Large – R570

Jumbo – R750

🐾Our own Kennels for a Cause wooden kennels are also R750 now.

I recently read a beautiful article in Happy Tails about Adele and the amazing work she’s doing in the Western Cape. I reached out to her to tell her how proud I am of her and to thank her - not just for what she does for the animals, but also for the way she uplifts people. Her reply stuck with me:

"Thanks so much - and there are also a lot of other people out there who aren't praised for their efforts."

That simple sentence hit me hard. It reminded me that so many others are out there, giving everything they have - quietly, humbly, and without recognition - simply because they care.

So to every single one of you doing what you do for our animals: thank you. Whether you sponsor a kennel through Kennels For a Cause, Giving is Living- Cape Town, Purple Kennel Project - Cape Town, or any of the many others walking this road - please know:
You are part of the solution.

💛 We see you. We appreciate you. And more importantly - the doggos do too.

20/07/2025

When I look at these 23 kennels in our garage (and home… and backyard… because we ran out of garage space and still need to park the bakkie 😬), I don’t see 23 unfinished kennels - I see hope, safety, and love being built for the doggos who need it most. 💛

Each one represents a life that will be changed - a doggo that will finally have a warm, secure place to rest and feel safe.

If you'd like to sponsor a kennel to a rescue organization, please get in touch! Your support can make a world of difference for a doggo in need. 🐶🏡

Just some doggos with their very own kennel thanks to R.A.D, Rietbron ACT SA, Howlelujah Foundation and The Barking Ark 🥰😍🐾

Let’s keep building hope - one kennel at a time.

19/07/2025

Every kennel we build for rescue organizations is more than just shelter - it’s a promise of safety, comfort, and care.

Thanks to Flash Harry DIY Waterproofing and Plascon, our kennels are now:

✅ Waterproof
✅ UV-resistant
✅ And bursting with bright, joyful colours — like this bold blue beauty 💙

Using Flash Harry's Fix-a-Leak Waterproofing and Roof & Dirt Water Resistant Paint and Plascon TradePro, we’re giving our furry friends a durable, weatherproof haven that stands out for all the right reasons.

Because every rescue deserves a home that’s built to last and full of heart. 🐶❤️

📍Spotted: Kennel #402 ready to roll out to its new home!

👉 Want to follow our journey or get involved?

Every like, share, or helping hand makes a difference. 🐾💛

15/07/2025

We’re proud to have been able to build kennels for the amazing PetPals, run by the incredibly dedicated Yolanda and Dawie. 💙

Their tireless work - educating pet owners, feeding animals in need, and supplying kennels where they’re most needed - is truly inspiring. These kennels will help provide comfort and protection to dogs in underserved communities, and we’re grateful to play a small part in their impactful mission. 🐶🏠

While today we’re shining a light on PetPals, we also want to recognize all the individuals and organizations out there who work every single day to make life better for animals. Your efforts matter. ❤️

13/07/2025

Last week’s weather definitely put us to the test! With all the rain, paint drying was not on our side – but that didn’t stop us. We powered through, doing what we could under soggy conditions (yes, even leaving the heater running in the garage... eek for the electric bill 😅). But hey, whatever it takes to get these kennels done!

Then yesterday – sunshine! 🌞 And you better believe we made the most of it. I even started lining up the kennels along the road to help them dry faster, and we got so many lovely drive-bys telling us how much they loved the colourful designs. 💛💙💜💚

This week’s kennels are ready to be tackled, and we’re SO excited to get started. In fact – we had to hit pause because the garage is officially out of space (a good problem to have, right?).

If you’d like to be part of something special, consider sponsoring a kennel. You won’t just be giving a doggo shelter – you’ll be giving them a safe, warm space to finally call their own. 🐶❤️

Want to get involved or have any questions?

📱 WhatsApp: 066 271 7141
📧 Email: [email protected]

We’d love to hear from you! 🐾

10/07/2025

On a beautiful Sunday, something truly special happened - a kennel and a snug comfy bed was delivered to the sweetest soul, Coco! 🐶❤️

This incredible gift was proudly built by Kennels for a Cause and made possible through the generous sponsorship of our beloved Aunty Lucille 💖. It’s our mission to bring comfort and security to dogs in need, one kennel at a time.

We’re always honored to work alongside passionate rescue organizations, and this time we had the privilege of supporting K9 & Bridgers- Rescue, run by the powerhouse herself, Megan Bridger.

Coco’s joy says it all - a safe space, a warm bed, and love all around 🐕🏡✨

To our sponsors and supporters - thank you for making our passion and dream a reality. One kennel at a time. 💛

06/07/2025

Caught in the act! First, we found Archie mid-snore on one of the indoor beds — living his best life and pretending not to hear us building in the garage.

Next thing we know, he saunters into the garage… and promptly climbs into a half-finished kennel like it was built just for him.

Archie’s official verdict?

House bed = excellent for surprise naps.

Kennels = great hiding spot when humans start asking for “volunteers.”

Being adorable = full-time job.

He didn’t break a sweat, lift a paw, or even offer moral support — but he’s already waiting for his employee of the month certificate.

03/07/2025

The last time I posted was back in March, and to be honest, life has been full-on lately. Between running two businesses, raising a teenager, and building kennels—there are definitely moments where I feel like my eye might twitch from the chaos 😅.

Truthfully, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. But I’m doing my best—and just because it’s been quiet here on Facebook doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The heart and soul behind Kennels for a Cause is still beating strong, even if it’s moving at a slower pace than I’m used to. I truly believe that’s about to change.

Today, I’d love to share a story. Not to boast—but to offer hope. Because when there’s a will, there truly is a way.

This particular story started on June 7th, 2024, when an article about Kennels For a Cause was featured in Huisgenoot. Shortly after, a lady reached out via Facebook Messenger asking if we could assist her sister-in-law with donations. That’s when I was introduced to the remarkable Madelein.

Madelein lives in Rietbron, a place I had never even heard of before (yes, I had to Google it!)—a small town in the Eastern Cape. (Guys... the EASTERN CAPE). This incredible woman looks after about 240 dogs, as well as cats, donkeys, and horses—all on her own, with very little support. The closest vet? A staggering 90 km away.

I knew in my heart I had to help. But I hit a wall: how would I get kennels all the way there?

That’s when I reached out to Tayla from Brand Freight, who had previously helped us with pallet donations. She immediately offered to connect with her logistics contacts. We sent through the kennel dimensions, and to our absolute amazement, a logistics company stepped up and offered to collect the kennels from our home and deliver them to Madelein’s farm—completely FREE OF CHARGE.

Isn’t that just incredible? 🙌

They could only transport 14 kennels, but gave us the green light to fill them with as many supplies as possible. Everything was arranged for delivery just before Christmas 2024.

And the blessings kept coming.

Out of the blue, Aunty Heather, a lovely lady, called to donate offcut material and stuffing. She runs an organization called PET, which repurposes fabric offcuts and scraps into dog beds—preventing landfill waste and giving comfort to shelter pets. Additionally there were two amazing ladies from the Heldervue WhatsApp group who volunteered to sew as many beds as the fabric allowed.

Then, through the same Huisgenoot article, another kind-hearted woman (who wishes to remain anonymous) donated money for the kennels.

And finally—just when I thought my heart couldn’t take more—one of my incredible clients, who might just love animals more than I do, donated gift bags for us to pack inside each kennel as a surprise for Madelein.

On December 23rd, BCF International arrived to collect the kennels, beds, and gift bags—ready to travel 494 km (one way!).

After 8.5 hours of driving, they reached Madelein’s farm and began offloading.

When I received the videos of those kennels being delivered... I cried. I cried tears of joy, of gratitude, of deep, deep relief. All for the animals.

This story isn’t just about kennels—it’s about compassion, connection, and what can happen when people come together. It’s about the power of faith, the ripple effect of kindness, and the reminder that even when things feel slow or quiet—God is always working.

Please take a moment to visit Madelein’s page Rietbron ACT SA and see the incredible work she is doing in Rietbron. If you feel moved to help her—whether by sharing, donating, or simply sending encouragement—please do. Every little bit makes a difference.

To everyone who helped make this possible: Thank You. From the bottom of my heart.

Here’s to more miracles, more wagging tails, and more hope—one kennel at a time. 🐾💛

09/04/2025

We have been blessed with a donation of much needed pallet wood. If there is anyone that can assist with the transport thereof, Kindly whatsapp us on 066 271 7141

29/03/2025

🐶🏡

29/03/2025

Wow, what a whirlwind the past few months have been! So much has changed, and it’s been a journey filled with big excitement, extremely big challenges, and even bigger dreams. At the start of the year, we moved our entire home, expanded my existing business, and even started a brand-new business venture! Shaun made the brave decision to leave his job of over nine years to join me in my business and on this incredible journey. We’ve also been navigating open days and applications for Leah’s high school—life has been a beautiful, chaotic mix!

And through it all, our passion for building kennels has never faded. In fact, it’s only grown stronger. My hopes, dreams, and aspirations for Kennels for a Cause are getting bigger by the day. I truly believe that we can achieve so much more together with our community.

Right now, it’s just me, Shaun, and Vivian putting in the hard work—and I know that to truly make a difference, we need more hands and hearts involved. My vision is to secure a workspace—big enough to involve the community—where we can teach skills, build kennels together, and empower others to do the same. You know that saying about teaching a man to fish? That’s what I’m aiming for: giving people the skills to make an impact within their own communities.

Honestly, sometimes it all feels a bit overwhelming, and I just need a moment to breathe and gather myself. But I know we’re on the right path.

So, if anyone out there knows of a workspace that’s not being used or would love to partner with us in making a difference, please reach out. Let’s change the world together, one kennel at a time.

In the meantime, we’ll leave you with some happy homing pictures and videos to brighten your day. 🐾❤️

PS - I will post videos in another post.

15/12/2024

If I could go back in time and speak to young Aneska—the girl who felt so lonely, who just wanted to make her parents proud—I would tell her this: You matter. You will make a difference. You will change the world.

Today, I find myself stopping in my tracks, overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey we’re on. The difference we get to make in the lives of so many doggos, and the incredible people we meet and assist through various organizations, is nothing short of humbling.

When the content creator for Kwela kykNET, Hanri, reached out to feature us, my jaw literally dropped. Deep down, I feel like no one special—but what we do for the doggos is truly extraordinary.

They wanted to spend a day with us, capturing who we are, what we do, and the impact we bring to the world. Nervous yet excited, we welcomed an incredible team that truly brought this story to life. The crew included Joshua and Carla, manning the cameras with such passion, Zale as the sound engineer ensuring every moment was crisp, Director Chris leading the charge with creative vision, and Therese, the warm and wonderful presenter and host.

From the birth of Kennels for a Cause to the process of building kennels and delivering them in the field, they captured the very essence of our mission. The day was filled with connection, joy, and a shared purpose.

After nearly four years of operation, I am so proud to share this almost 9-minute feature with all of you—our supporters, sponsors, friends, and family.

This is for every doggo whose life we’ve touched, for every person who has believed in us, and for the power of hope and hard work.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this journey.

💙🐾

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