Dawn breaks on May 28th, 2025. The township of De Doorns stirs awake. Amongst the bustle is the call of animals – some about to receive a new lease on life. Back in Cape Town, Driven By Nature Foundation is set to be on-site to capture the Sidewalk Specials sterilisation campaign for a short film. As an organisation focused on meaningful and lasting impact, we recognised this project and knew we had to attend such an inspirational initiative. The sterilisation clinics control animal overpopulation in De Doorns, a settlement nestled between Worcester and Touwsrivier. Sterilisation can support overall health and lead to behaviour improvements for better ownership. With the help of the Sidewalk Specials program, fewer unwanted babies suffer while pets live longer, healthier lives with their families. As we engaged in the campaign over two days, we gained a new perspective on animal welfare while engaging with individuals dedicated to improving the lives of township dogs and cats. This is a story about hope, renewal, and a fight for survival. Sidewalk Specials’ impact shows in their relationship with the community of De Doorns, after almost a decade of hard work in the area. Join us as we recount our journey.
Day 1: Arrival in De Doorns and Community Outreach
Our team left HQ in Paarden Eiland at seven am sharp on a cold Wednesday in May of 2025. We travelled through sloping valleys as a striking sunrise broke over the mountain peaks, waking us up for a warm, clear day. After the two-hour drive to De Doorns, we arrived at our final destination. A small hall, settled in a row of houses; inconspicuous other than a Sidewalk Specials car parked outside. We unloaded from our vehicle and entered the hall to greet our home base for the next two days. To the left is a check-up zone, where animals are carefully examined for any health concerns. On our right are rows of large cages, ready to hold the dogs pre-op, and in front of us, operating tables and the recovery area. We introduced ourselves to the team on-site, Gary and Sarah-Jane, and prepared for the next two days of hard work. Almost thirty dogs had been signed up for sterilisation by their families, and it was our job to bring them to the hall with the Sidewalk Specials team. Ready to help, the team split into two cars and headed out to collect the animals while enjoying conversation along the way. As we drove through the township, residents would flag us down for their dogs to be checked up or signed in for sterilisation. After their details were meticulously recorded, the dogs were loaded into our cars. On this journey, we saw the culmination of years of work in the area – the community recognised the cars, knew they were there to help them, and communication between the people and the Sidewalk Specials team was mutually respectful and understanding. This relationship with the team was one of our critical takeaways from this project. Any initiative setting out to make a difference, whether in conservation or not, requires a deep awareness of who the organisation is serving to create an atmosphere of trust.
Our next stop was the dump. Dogs, cows and goats searched for food alongside their owners, through the sea of multicoloured plastic, debris and scraps. Ignoring the leech of toxic chemicals and the sharp smell of burning rubber, the colours and sheer scale made it almost mesmerising. We picked up a few dogs here, surrounded by the remnants of our waste. It served as a reminder of our impact – an important perspective that many will never see. After a half day of picking up around fourteen dogs, we headed back to the hall for lunch. We enjoyed twenty minutes of peace before we were back on the road, this time with a few cat pick-ups on our list. On our way, we stopped at a house whose dog had recently given birth to eight puppies. We spent some time here talking to the owners, as the Sidewalk Specials team explained that eight puppies could become many more and encouraged them to sign up to sterilise their dogs when the time was right. Next, we collected a cat, then a second one, to the dismay of a confused child who didn’t understand why his best friend had to leave for the night. In the car, the cat scratched at her crate, missing her family. Our team was glad to be there to reassure her that she would be home soon. A few more dogs were loaded into the Driven By Nature vehicle, some into Sidewalk Special’s car, while the cats stayed safely in the back seat. We arrived back at the hall around 5:30 PM as the hints of sunset broke over the mountains. Despite the approaching darkness, we still had work to do – settling the animals in for the night. With clean cages, fresh food, and plenty of water, the dogs and cats were ready for us to say goodbye for the evening. Once they’d eaten, we removed the leftover food and water to prevent any unwanted critters, then departed for our accommodation.
Day 2: Documenting Sidewalk Specials' Impact
Day two of the sterilisation campaign was our filming day, an opportunity to capture the story of Sidewalk Specials’ incredible work. After convening with our videographer, our team split up, some heading out to pick up more dogs and others helping in the hall. Most of our morning was spent filming the program in action and assisting the team in their duties, from lifting crates to cleaning cages. Being there for the sterilisation process and watching the focus, precision and care that goes into these operations was nothing short of life-changing. It recontextualised how challenging this program and its operation truly were – making it so much more powerful. Our team reconvened to begin interviewing some of the key members of Sidewalk Specials. Through some wind and rain, we made friendly conversation while learning more about their organisation, its people, impact, and the passion they had for their roles. The veterinarian’s interview was particularly insightful, as hearing the importance of the campaign from a medical perspective was critical to our understanding of the process. After wrapping our interviews, we continued filming the team and their work as it unfolded. We captured the final stages of the campaign, joining to drop off the pets to their families. The reunion of animals and their owners was an incredible experience, showing us the true impact of the campaign – forming a deep connection between people and their pets.
Once the pets are dropped off, they continue checking up on them over the coming months as they sign up more animals for sterilisation. This ensures the animals have a healthy and safe recovery. Day two was almost done. Our filming had gone smoothly, with plenty of great shots from the videographer, and we were pleased with our efforts. By the end of the day, we had dropped off almost all of the dogs and were waiting for the last few pet patients to wake up. Proud of ourselves, we shared a few hugs or high-fives and had a final talk with the Sidewalk Specials team. We left for home around 6 PM – carrying the moments and memories of the past two days. The result of our two days at Sidewalk Specials was this impactful short film, showcasing their cause and how their team has helped the community of De Doorns. You can find it on our YouTube channel and see their important work for yourself. Our team is proud of the work we put into this project, and we will continue to share critical conservation stories in the future.
