Cat Out of the Bag for Two Oceans Marathon • Cape of Good Hope SPCA

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A Clinical Specialist at the Cape Gate Mediclinic has extended his oath to save lives to saving the lives of animals too!

Dr Colin Marais will #Run2Heal animals wearing a cat costume at the Two Oceans Ultramarathon mega event on Easter Sunday. He will be running his 10^th Ultramarathon with this being his 1^st attempt at participating in a costume.

The cat costume was specifically designed using breathable, lightweight running material with a 3/4 shorts made for athletes.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has actively participated in the Two Oceans since 2012 to raise awareness and funding for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

86 runners signed up to run for Team SPCA in the 2020 Two Oceans Marathon which was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite cancellation they raised a total income of R155,008!

In 2021, Team SPCA participated in the Two Oceans Marathon Virtual Charity Challenge with 6 participants raising a collective amount of R15 430 with a matching donation from Two Oceans of R15 540 bringing our total funds raised to R30 970.

This year 27 runners will #Run2Heal for animals, 4 Ultramarathon and 23 half marathon runners.

Natasha Johannes, peer to peer fundraising officer and convenor of the TEAMSPCA participation in the Two Oceans wished all participants well – “Our runners have generously committed to raising funds which goes towards our #Run2Heal campaign where every cent raised will directly impact the CoGH SPCA Animal Hospital and its critically injured/ill patients. A heartfelt thanks to all TEAMSPCA athletes, through your incredible support and efforts we will be able to continue offering the life-saving services so many animals who depend upon us”.

This year TEAMSPCA is letting the cat out of bag with avid animal lover and long standing supporter of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. Dr Marais shares his passion and motive for running in support of the SPCA wearing a cat costume:

“I started running at the age of 9. Like most athletes, I cultivated the desire to run “the big ultra” early on. It was only in 2010 that I challenged my brother Brian Marais to do the Two Oceans Ultra (TOM) and Comrades in 2011. Our father, 61 at the time, heard of the challenge and decided to joined in! We all completed our 1st Oceans and Comrades together in 2011 and a true love for running a ultramarathon was born. I have since completed 9 consecutive Two Oceans Ultramarathons and will hopefully complete my 10th in team SPCA colours this year!

We adopted our little girl Jack Russel, Katy, from Cape of Good Hope SPCA back in 2009. Since then, I keep in touch with the good work the SPCA does and try to spread the news that adoption is the way to go. These animals have so much love to give.

It’s a common misconception that adoption animals are somehow “damaged” or will someday lash out… Nothing can be further from the truth. The extensive behaviour testing and “match-making” SPCA does before placement is truly reassuring. Since we adopted Katy we have adopted 2 others and will be back for sure!

Any opportunity to use my passion for ultra-events to raise funds for the SPCA is thus a great way for me to ‘give back’. This race will be special to me. Not only will I be running for my blue number marking my 10^th Two Oceans Ultramarathon, I will also be joined by my two brothers, Brian Marais from Gauteng and adopted brother Divan Marais who will be joining me for his 1st Two Oceans race.”

The Two Oceans Ultramarathon and half marathon races were run together prior to COVID. This year marks the first time the two races are run separately for health and safety reasons.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA sees an average of 45 000 cases per year, of which more than 60% are classified as moderate to severe cases.

32 000 of those cases require clinical intervention with treatment cost that can escalate over R850 per animal per day in those moderate to severe cases.

The animal hospital sees an average of 107 cases per day, translating to nearly 14 animals clinically treated every hour. Nearly 80% of all animals admitted to the animal hospital are treated successfully and return home with their owner.

At the heart of this significant caseload, the hospital, our veterinarians and animal welfare assistants demonstrate the capability to oversee, manage and execute high volume operations without compromising quality.