TMNP Dog Campaign in the final stretch

It’s been five months since the launch of the Table Mountain National Park Patrol Dog Campaign – and with only two dogs to go until the target is met – the campaign is a roaring success.

The TMNP Patrol Dog Unit, part of the Visitor Safety Programme, performs an invaluable service to the park rangers, assisting in search and rescue operations as well as in the prevention of crime on the mountain chain. “Dogs are an incredibly valuable asset to the Visitor Safety Programme in that they are able to reach places that are not as easily accessible for people – such as old bunkers and hiding places. The ferocity of canine fangs in crime prevention operations are also somewhat more fearsome than the human element,” says Paddy Gordon, TMNP Park Manager.

Since June of this year a number of sponsors have come on board in support of this worthy campaign:

• Waterfront Rotary: Built and sponsored 6 new kennels for the dog unit at a value of R90 000 as well as sponsored the third dog, Esko.
• acsis VOB Running Club: Sponsored the first dog, Orbit.
• K9 Training and Kennels: Sponsored dog number two, Rocky.
• Pedal Power Association: Sponsored dog number four, Purdy as well as blankets for each dog.
• The Inner Wheel Club of Wynberg: Sponsored elevated beds for each dog.
• Royal Canin: Subsidize the dogs’ nutritional diet.
• Local vet, Dr Melissa Charles: Keeps an eye on the dogs and funds their annual vaccinations.
• Mr Neil Jowell: Donated dog number five, CZ.
• The Laubser family: Donated dog number six, Baxter.
• Trencor: Sponsored dog number 7, Alex – who joins the unit today.
• acsis VOB & Honorary Rangers A joint sponsorship sees Eaton join the unit as dog number 8.

The goal is to have 10 dogs in the Visitor Safety Dog Unit. All the dogs are German Shepherds, trained to Level 4 to search and retrieve. Together with their devoted, highly qualified Ranger handlers (DH5 level), the Dog Unit makes mountain patrols far more effective and have led to a marked increase in the number of arrests, including several suspects on the SAPS ‘wanted’ list. 

A fully trained German Shepherd patrol dog costs R16 000, by special arrangement with K9 Training Centre & Kennels. However, over the working life of these extraordinary dogs, a trained dog’s cumulative value over the long term is closer to R 2 million. Therefore a donation of a dog at the price of R16,000 each has a lasting benefit and represents a significant contribution to mountain safety. An 18A tax benefit certificate is issued on request.

The German Shepherd is the preferred breed of dog for the mountainous terrain in terms of their strength to body weight ratio. Every dog undergoes intensive training for two years, arriving at the dog unit ready and eager to work. The final call is now out for the final two dogs to join the Visitor Safety Dog Unit.

For further information about how to sponsor a dog, or even other needs of the dog unit, contact TMNP Honorary Ranger, Sue Smith on 083 461 9686 or email

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .