Brigitte Reeve-Taylor Passion Meets Purpose
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In the world of tutus and tap shoes, pirouettes and pliés, few would expect to find the beating heart of a major animal welfare movement. But that’s exactly what you’ll discover behind the spotlight of Brigitte Reeve-Taylor, founder of Dancers Love Dogs, lifelong dance teacher, and proud dog mom to two rescues with stories as rich as any performance.
Brigitte’s life has always been choreographed by rhythm, grace, and grit. For decades, she has nurtured dancers, shaped routines, and guided performers through competitions and exams. But it was one moment, on a highway in 2012, that changed her own life’s routine forever. She spotted an emaciated, abandoned dog and after a 90-minute chase, she eventually caught it. “I couldn’t leave him,” she recalls. That rescue planted the seed for a movement that would blend the poise of performance with the purpose of saving lives.
That movement became Dancers Love Dogs.
The Mission
From humble beginnings, Brigitte’s idea was simple: use the power of performance to fund animal sterilisation projects across South Africa. “I thought, why not put on a show where dancers perform for a cause?” she says. “We already had the network. All we needed was a mission.” And so, in studio mirrors and rehearsal halls, among pointed toes and perfect posture, the idea blossomed into a powerful fundraising vehicle.
Since its inception, Dancers Love Dogs has raised more than R8 million and facilitated over 28,000 sterilizations. But this isn’t just about numbers for Brigitte – it’s about impact. “Sterilising a dog here and a dog there isn’t going to make any real difference,” she explains. “You need to go into an area and sterilize 80% of the population to actually shift the needle.”
It’s a philosophy grounded in effectiveness. Every project Dancers Love Dogs support is carefully chosen. “We’ll help anyone who asks,” she says, “but now we look more strategically. We don’t do one-offs anymore. It needs to be part of a plan.”
Education with Every Procedure
Over the years, Brigitte has learned that true change doesn’t come from operations alone, it requires education. “Now? We don’t do a sterilisation unless there’s an educational program alongside it,” she says firmly. That means engaging communities, teaching children, and helping pet owners understand not just the “how,” but the “why.”
Partnering with vets, educators, and organizations like the National Sterilisation Project and the Willowmore initiative, Dancers Love Dogs ensures that every campaign includes this crucial educational component. It’s not about swooping in and leaving. It’s about empowering communities to build a better future for their animals.
Brigitte has also built strong relationships with veterinary professionals like Dr. Mc Mullen and Dr. Roos and organizations such as the AWS and CVC. Together, they’ve been able to reach underserved regions and create long-lasting change. “These partnerships are key,” she explains. “It takes a village—not just to raise a child, but to protect a dog.”
Behind the Curtain: The Woman, the Dancer, the Dog Mom
While her organisation has made waves in the animal welfare world, Brigitte’s personal journey is equally moving. As a board member and examiner with the Association of International Dance Teachers and a studio owner herself, her days have long been a blur of leotards and lesson plans.
But even the most passionate hearts need rest.
A health scare in recent years forced Brigitte to take stock. “It slowed me down—in a good way,” she says. “I was running on all engines, burning out. And I realised… I needed to choose the projects closest to my heart and also make time for my family. That wasn’t something I’ve been very good at before.”
The shift was sobering – but empowering. Brigitte learned to protect her energy as fiercely as she protects animals. She scaled back, focused in, and began weaving more balance into her busy tapestry of life.
And at the center of that recalibration? Her dogs.
Lessons in Loyalty
Brigitte shares her home with two rescued Boston Terriers, Sofi and Kodi, each with their own stories, scars, and quirks. “They’ve taught me so much,” she says. “Forgiveness. Loyalty. That you can come from the worst circumstances and still offer love.”
Sofi and Kodi, each carry a past marked by hardship but have found safety and affection with Brigitte and her husband. Sofi, gentle and perceptive, was rescued from neglect and quickly became a quiet source of comfort and loyalty. Kodi, on the other hand, arrived skittish. While he had a better start in life, he needed to find his own place under the sun. It took some time but with patience and love, he blossomed into a playful and affectionate companion. Together, they represent the very animals Brigitte fights for – those who, despite their difficult beginnings, still have so much love to give when given a second chance.
She pauses, thinking of their resilience. “Animals get treated so appallingly sometimes,” she says softly, “but they still go back with love and loyalty. Maybe we could be a little more like that – more forgiving. Me too.”
It’s these moments that remind her why the work matters. Why every show, every sterilisation, every hour behind the scenes is worth it.
More Than Movement
What Brigitte has built isn’t just a charity. It’s a stage, an intersection between the arts and advocacy. Each year, hundreds of dancers donate their time, sweat, and talents to raise funds for dogs they’ve never met but fiercely care about. The bond between the arts and animal welfare is a unique one, and Brigitte has tapped into it with rare authenticity.
“In the world of tutus and tap shoes, pirouettes and pliés, few would expect to find the beating heart of a major animal welfare movement.”
“Our shows are more than just fundraisers. They’re love letters. From the stage, to the shelter.”
And it’s not just the dance world getting involved. Dancers Love Dogs has become a platform for anyone who wants to help—whether they’re dog lovers, choreographers, or simply people who want to make a difference.
Looking Ahead
Brigitte doesn’t pretend the road is easy. “We’ve had challenges,” she admits.
“Funding, logistics, fatigue… but I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.” The key, she says, is to keep adapting. “We’re focusing more on digital now, reaching a younger audience, and finding ways to keep our sterilisation drives sustainable.”
How You Can Help
Whether you’re a dancer, a dog lover, or simply someone who believes in creating a kinder world, Dancers Love Dogs offers multiple ways to get involved—and every little bit truly helps.
The most direct and impactful way to support their work is by sponsoring a sterilisation. These life-saving procedures are carried out by registered veterinarians across South Africa, and one of the most important aspects of the organisation’s model is transparency: not a single cent of donor money goes to administration or salaries. Every payment is made directly to the vets, ensuring that your contribution goes exactly where it’s needed.
If you’re someone who prefers consistent giving, you can also sign up for a monthly debit order. This helps the team plan ahead and commit to sterilisation drives in high-need areas. Whether it’s R50 or R500 a month, recurring donations provide the stability that makes long-term planning possible. Setting this up is simple and can be done via their website or by emailing the team directly.
For those already using the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme, Dancers Love Dogs is an official beneficiary. By simply swiping your card when shopping at participating retailers like Woolworths or Engen, a portion of your spend goes straight to supporting animal welfare—at no extra cost to you. If you don’t have a card yet, you can apply online and select Dancers Love Dogs as your charity of choice. It’s an effortless way to support the cause every day.
Of course, supporting the annual fundraising dance performances is another fun and meaningful way to contribute. These shows bring together passionate dancers from across the country, all donating their time and talent to help sterilise and save lives. The energy is electric, the stories are moving, and every ticket sold funds another operation.
And finally, there’s advocacy. Share their mission. Talk about their work. Follow them on social media. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is help their story reach someone who’s able to help.
As Brigitte puts it: “You don’t need to do everything. But if everyone does something? We can change the world.”
