Marlands, Germiston, Johannesburg – What began with a tiny, dying puppy on a doorstep has grown into one of the East Rand’s most heartfelt grassroots rescue initiatives. Today, Recycling for Animal Welfare (RAW) — a registered non-profit organisation — is asking the public for support to keep their rescue work going alongside the recycling efforts they have carried out faithfully for years.
Paul: The Puppy Who Started It All
Eight years ago, a freezing, limp puppy later named Paul arrived at the home of Judy Knox (54) and her partner John Ancill (60) in Marlands, Germiston. Severely ill and minutes from death, Paul was rushed to the vet — who later said he would not have survived had he arrived even an hour later.
For months, Paul fought for his life, surviving Parvo, tick bite fever, and gastro. Judy and John stayed beside him through every drip, every setback, every shaky breath.
Against all odds, Paul survived. And when he finally recovered enough to be adopted, they both knew he was already home.
Paul became RAW’s very first rescue — the little soul whose courage shaped the heart and purpose of the organisation.On 18 July 2025, Paul passed away from liver cancer after eight deeply cherished years. His loss was heartbreaking, but his legacy lives on in every animal RAW helps today.
How RAW Was Born — Turning Recyclables Into Lifesaving Care
In 2017, Judy and John wanted a sustainable and dignified way to fund veterinary care for animals in crisis. They had never wanted to ask for donations — they preferred to earn the money needed to help each animal.
So, after their full-time day jobs and every Saturday, they began collecting glass and cardboard across Johannesburg’s East Rand — Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni, Edenvale, Kempton Park, and wherever they were needed. Armed with their small Hyundai i10, they filled it to the roof every week.
Their first load earned R50, but it confirmed that even the smallest beginning could grow into something meaningful.
With the help of a local vet and their small team — Monique (46) and Patrick (77), lovingly known as “G-Dad” — RAW has since recycled more than 750 tons of glass and 75 tons of cardboard. Every cent earned goes directly toward sterilisations, vaccinations, emergency treatment, and rehabilitation.
A Growing Need — And Why They’re Asking for Help for the First Time
Despite their enormous effort, recycling yields very little:
50c per kg of glass
R1,20 per kg of cardboard
2–3 weeks of collecting = about R1,200
Animals continue arriving every week — frightened, abandoned, injured, or desperately ill — needing urgent veterinary care. RAW’s vet bill now exceeds R50,000, and their account is on hold.
For the first time since RAW began, Judy and John have launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to help cover the growing gap between what recycling brings in and what the animals urgently need.
The campaign will help top up what they already earn through recycling, making sure the vet bill is covered even when emergencies arrive faster than the glass and cardboard can.
This doesn’t replace their hard-earned efforts — they will still be out collecting after work and every Saturday, just as they’ve done for years.The campaign simply gives their rescue work a little extra support, so no animal has to be turned away.
So far, R7,440 has been raised from 14 donors, a touching beginning — but far more support is needed to reopen their vet account and continue their rescue work.
In Paul’s Honour — RAW Launches Their Monthly Giving Campaign
The BackaBuddy campaign is dedicated to Paul — the brave little dog whose survival inspired RAW’s mission.Through monthly supporters, Judy and John hope Paul’s legacy will continue helping other animals get the second chance he fought so hard for.
Call to Action:
Help Keep Paul’s Legacy AliveRAW is asking the public to stand with them in honour of the puppy who started everything.You can help by:
- Making a once-off donation
- Becoming a monthly supporter — the most powerful way to ensure RAW never has to say “no” to an animal in crisis
“Every rand goes straight to the animals — their treatment, their healing, their safety,” Judy says. “We will never stop recycling. This campaign simply helps us bridge the gap so we can keep saving lives, just like we saved Paul.”
Support RAW here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-recycling-for-animal-welfare