Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Disney Junior channel gives dogs a place to lay their heads
EVERY dog has his day... and every dog should have a kennel too, which is why – in the spirit of the third season of Doc McStuffins, the Disney Junior channel is donating 25 dog kennels to the SPCA, all specially decorated by South African celebrities and media teams.
Doc McStuffins tells the story of a young girl who cares for toys in her playhouse clinic. When she puts on her stethoscope, something magical happens – toys, dolls and stuffed animals come to life and she can communicate with them.
In the third season, Doc adds another string to her bow... she can help pets.
In Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet, Doc opens a new veterinary practice in her backyard clinic where she treats ill and injured toy animals.
In celebrating the new theme in the series, celebrities were given dog kennels and pet-friendly materials to decorate with friends and family. Once completed, these kennels were donated to the SPCA to use for abandoned dogs who are waiting to find homes.
Mandy Cattanah, senior inspector and manager of the SPCA, said: “A very big thank you to Disney for the donation of 25 kennels for our animals. Mahatma Gandhi said that ‘the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ With the assistance of programmes like Doc McStuffins, we are more able to educate our children on the importance of pet care, which will go a long way to reducing the number of animals in distress.”
“Not only does the new Doc McStuffins series emphasise the need to help animals, but also the responsibility on families to care for their pets,” said Deirdre King, head of marketing for the Walt Disney Company Africa.
“We are especially thankful to all the celebrities and media houses for giving of their time and helping to make this initiative a truly memorable one, affecting the lives of a number of animals.”
Dr Colin van Rensburg, a vet, offered tips for children in caring for their pets. This includes making sure pets drink enough on hot days; watching for ticks and fleas; correct coat care; the importance of exercise, playtime and giving lots of love; the right diet; dental hygiene; travelling with pets for the holidays; and protecting pets from loud noises like thunder and firecrackers over the holidays.
Watch Dr Colin share his top tips for kids in caring for their pets on Disney Junior Africa Facebook Page. Watch the third season on Disney Junior, every day at 7.20am.