Jenny Pretorius and her guide dog, Luca.
A limited-edition SA Guide-Dogs Association reusable shopping bag – made from recycled plastic bottles – is being sold at Pick n Pay stores to raise funds.
The association’s 70th birthday celebrations include a 70 Days of Giving campaign, which aims to raise R700 000 in 70 days. Pick n Pay has committed to raising another R100 000.
In 2020, Pick n Pay donated R100 000 for Luca, a black Labrador puppy, to be trained as a guide dog.
Last November, Luca moved in with his new owner Jenny Pretorius in Fish Hoek. Ms Pretorius is deaf and blind so Luca assists her as a hearing as well as a guide dog. “Since Luca has been with me, he’s been helping me get my life together again after the death of my last guide dog. We love working as a team and are very happy together,” Ms Pretorius said.
The shopping bag, which has a picture of Luca and other service dogs, will be sold in-store for R40, with R5 from each bag sold donated to the association.
The campaign is running at selected Pick n Pay supermarkets and hypermarkets until Tuesday July 18.