BLog

When Pets Thrive but People Struggle
BY TRACY MCQUARRIE Understanding the Changing World of Pet Care and Animal WelfareOver the past few decades, the way we care for our pets has changed dramatically. Dogs and cats are no longer just animals who live in our gardens or guard our homes, they are family members. They sleep on our couches, travel with us, and hold a place in our hearts that is deeply personal. And because of

Small Steps, Big Progress
COCO’S IVDD RECOVERY STORY Coco, a lively French Bulldog, suddenly lost function in her back legs. Her owners immediately knew something was wrong. She was rushed to the vet, where the diagnosis was confirmed: Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a spinal condition commonly seen in chondrodystrophic breeds like French Bulldogs and Dachschund. Coco underwent spinal surgery to relieve pressure on her spinal cord. While the procedure was successful, recovery would require

Top Tips on how to Pick the Right Property for you and your pets
By Bryony Van Niekerk Finding a property to rent or buy that fits your needs is hard enough. Add pets into the mix and suddenly the challenge becomes ten times more complicated. These days it feels like more and more places are either not pet-friendly at all, or they come with a long list of restrictions; size, breed, number of pets… you name it. It doesn’t seem to matter whether

Troy Squires Building Boldly with Bear
Cape Town isn’t just growing in theory. It’s happening in real time. The City of Cape Town approves tens of thousands of new residential apartments every year, while somewhere between 11,000 and 17,000 homes are actually completed annually. And still, it’s not enough. The demand keeps climbing, the waiting lists keep growing, and the skyline keeps shifting to keep up. Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard and you’ll see it immediately.

Get to Know Dr. Graeme King from Parkmore Veterinary Clinic
“Behind every healthy pet is a caring vet with a heart full of compassion.” My patients can’t tell me where it hurts. Some of them hiss, bark, squeak and even squawk, and a surprising number attempt to bite me. Every day brings a new cast of characters, from nervous cats and enthusiastic Labradors to the occasional patient who sees the examination table as a wrestling ring. As a small animal

Refresh your Pet’s First Aid Kit
It’s a fresh new year – and, if you’re like many of us, you’re sorting, spring cleaning, and goal setting like a Collie herding its flock. But, amid the organised chaos, take a moment to think of your furry family members. When last did you take a look at their first aid kit? Now’s the perfect time to give it a refresh. That way you’re prepped for whatever adventures the

A Fresh New Start
By Tracy Mcquarrie There’s something magical about a fresh new start. Whether it’s the beginning of a new year, a new season, or simply a new chapter in your life, the feeling is the same, renewal, possibility, hope. And no one embodies the spirit of fresh beginnings quite like our beloved dogs. Every wagging tail, every morning biiiiig stretch, every joyful zoomie, reminds us that life is best lived with

THE TRUTH ABOUT PET ADOPTION FEES
Think adoption fees are excessive? Here’s the truth… You’ve found The One – the perfect shelter pet who speaks to your heart. But then you spot the adoption fee. Wait… Isn’t getting them out of the shelter enough? Why do they want you to pay for a pet nobody else wanted? Is this some kind of money-making scheme? Fair questions. But the answer, while simple, needs a tweak in perspective.

Top Tips on how to brush your dog’s teeth
By Bryony Van Niekerk The title of this article probably has most of you really impressed and saying things like; ‘oh wow, you brush your dog’s teeth, what a great mom to have figured it all out’ But no, I do not have it all figured out (but I am still a good pet mom). I had the best of intentions when I got the new additions. I was determined

Fur-Friendly Finds
Top Pawsome Free Spots Your Pets Will Love! Image credit: Lance Real Estate Oranjezicht City Farm Market This vibrant weekend market is a favourite for locals and visitors who enjoy fresh produce, gourmet food, and handcrafted goods. The outdoor seating areas are pet friendly, which makes it an ideal spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch with your dog while taking in the lively market atmosphere. With plenty of space, friendly

Recipes (January / February 2026)
New Years’ Grilled BBQ Tofu Vegetable Kebabs Ingredients: For the Tofu:395g Firm Tofu (*suggestion – not the extra firm)105g Smoky BBQ Sauce of your choice For the Vegetables:435g Cherry tomatoes250g Zucchini170g White button mushrooms155g Red bell pepper155g Green bell pepper175g Red onion2 Tbs olive oil1/2 tsp fine sea saltFresh ground pepper Instructions: For the Tofu (prep ahead if you prefer):Since tofu is packaged in water, press the water out of

Fascinating Dolphin Facts
Dolphins are toothed whales, belonging to the suborder Odontoceti, with most species part of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae. The familiar bottlenose dolphin’s scientific name is Tursiops truncatus, a highly intelligent and widely studied marine mammal. Scientists currently recognize around 40 to 42 dolphin species, though exact numbers may vary slightly as new research updates classification. Dolphins live in oceans worldwide, from tropical seas to temperate zones, and some species,

Sirius 2026 Cover Model
There is a kind of quiet magic that settles over a home where rescue dogs live. It is not loud or showy. You won’t spot it from the pavement or hear it from the street. It reveals itself in the smallest shifts, the tiniest triumphs, the gentle moments that bloom between one heartbeat and the next. Mayuri’s home is made of that kind of magic. On the day of the

Get to Know Dr. Fourie Viljoen from Pierre Van Ryneveld Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary professionals are pet-people, and we often enter this career under the impression that vets work with animals. That myth is one I regularly bust for prospective students: Vets need to be psychologists, paediatricians and psychics for not only the pet, but the parent too! My name is Lielie Fourie-Viljoen, raised by and helping raise Pierre van Ryneveld Veterinary hospital. I got to know the insides of our profession from

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at TAH Rosmead in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a cat-lover, and proud cat-dad to two rescues named Natsu and Falcon. In a world filled with conflicting veterinary information, Pet Prints has given me a chance to try and make sense of some of the muddle. So, if you have anything you want to ask, send it

Recipes (November / December 2025)
6 Crown Cuisines to Elevate your dining experience with dishes fit for the throne Regal Kale Caesar Salad Ingredients:1 bunch curly kale, tough stems removed5 ml extra virgin olive oilSea salt, to taste150 g chopped romaine lettuce60 ml Healthy Caesar Dressing or Vegan Caesar Dressing100 ml croutonsShaved Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, to tasteOptional: roasted chickpeasOptional: 1 avocado, diced Instructions: Prepare the kale:Tear the kale into bite-sized pieces and place

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at TAH Rosmead in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a cat-lover, and proud cat-dad to two rescues named Natsu and Falcon. In a world filled with conflicting veterinary information, Pet Prints has given me a chance to try and make sense of some of the muddle. So, if you have anything you want to ask, send it

PETS NEED A Break too!
BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, Brian Berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggie-daughter, insists on joining them. THE BALI COTTAGE Paws and Waves: A Pet-Friendly Hermanus Retreat Hermanus may be crowned the whale-watching capital of the world, but for pet owners, this coastal gem offers something equally precious: genuine freedom for four-legged family members. Nestled in

Fascinating Flamingo Facts
Flamingos belong to the bird family known as Phoenicopteridae, which includes all six recognized species. There are six main species of flamingos found across the world, each adapted to different habitats and climates. These birds are classified under the genera Phoenicopterus, Phoeniconaias, and Phoenicoparrus. Flamingos live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, thriving in regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. They prefer habitats with shallow, salty, or

From RUFF to Radiant
By Jenni Davies A glossy mane, supple skin, shiny eyes, sparkling smiles… SA’s next top model? Guess again. Whether your pet has long, luscious locks or looks like a Karoo tumbleweed, healthy skin and fur are the goal of every pet owner. And they’re key to overall healthcare. Dull fur, dryness, itchy skin, and lacklustre noses aren’t just about looks, they leave our pets feeling far from their fabulous selves

When Pets Thrive but People Struggle
BY TRACY MCQUARRIE Understanding the Changing World of Pet Care and Animal WelfareOver the past few decades, the way we care for our pets has

Small Steps, Big Progress
COCO’S IVDD RECOVERY STORY Coco, a lively French Bulldog, suddenly lost function in her back legs. Her owners immediately knew something was wrong. She was

Top Tips on how to Pick the Right Property for you and your pets
By Bryony Van Niekerk Finding a property to rent or buy that fits your needs is hard enough. Add pets into the mix and suddenly

Troy Squires Building Boldly with Bear
Cape Town isn’t just growing in theory. It’s happening in real time. The City of Cape Town approves tens of thousands of new residential apartments

Get to Know Dr. Graeme King from Parkmore Veterinary Clinic
“Behind every healthy pet is a caring vet with a heart full of compassion.” My patients can’t tell me where it hurts. Some of them

Refresh your Pet’s First Aid Kit
It’s a fresh new year – and, if you’re like many of us, you’re sorting, spring cleaning, and goal setting like a Collie herding its

A Fresh New Start
By Tracy Mcquarrie There’s something magical about a fresh new start. Whether it’s the beginning of a new year, a new season, or simply a

THE TRUTH ABOUT PET ADOPTION FEES
Think adoption fees are excessive? Here’s the truth… You’ve found The One – the perfect shelter pet who speaks to your heart. But then you

Top Tips on how to brush your dog’s teeth
By Bryony Van Niekerk The title of this article probably has most of you really impressed and saying things like; ‘oh wow, you brush your

Fur-Friendly Finds
Top Pawsome Free Spots Your Pets Will Love! Image credit: Lance Real Estate Oranjezicht City Farm Market This vibrant weekend market is a favourite for

Recipes (January / February 2026)
New Years’ Grilled BBQ Tofu Vegetable Kebabs Ingredients: For the Tofu:395g Firm Tofu (*suggestion – not the extra firm)105g Smoky BBQ Sauce of your choice

Fascinating Dolphin Facts
Dolphins are toothed whales, belonging to the suborder Odontoceti, with most species part of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae. The familiar bottlenose dolphin’s scientific name

Sirius 2026 Cover Model
There is a kind of quiet magic that settles over a home where rescue dogs live. It is not loud or showy. You won’t spot

Get to Know Dr. Fourie Viljoen from Pierre Van Ryneveld Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary professionals are pet-people, and we often enter this career under the impression that vets work with animals. That myth is one I regularly bust

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at TAH Rosmead in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a cat-lover, and

Recipes (November / December 2025)
6 Crown Cuisines to Elevate your dining experience with dishes fit for the throne Regal Kale Caesar Salad Ingredients:1 bunch curly kale, tough stems removed5

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at TAH Rosmead in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a cat-lover, and

PETS NEED A Break too!
BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, Brian Berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued

Fascinating Flamingo Facts
Flamingos belong to the bird family known as Phoenicopteridae, which includes all six recognized species. There are six main species of flamingos found across the

From RUFF to Radiant
By Jenni Davies A glossy mane, supple skin, shiny eyes, sparkling smiles… SA’s next top model? Guess again. Whether your pet has long, luscious locks