A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™: Mars Pet Care Led South Africa’s Largest Retail and Pet Care Collaboration for World Animal Day 2025

For the first time in South Africa, Mars, Pick n Pay, Takealot, and Pet Express joined forces in a groundbreaking nationwide initiative that advanced pet wellbeing for World Animal Day 2025.

Mars Pet Care World Animal Day 2025 saw the company behind some of the world’s leading pet-care brands extend its “A Better World for Pets™” mission beyond products to include education, awareness, adoption opportunities, and practical guidance for responsible pet care.

A Historic First-of-its-Kind Effort

This initiative marked a national first for South Africa. By combining the reach of South Africa’s largest and most-loved retailers with Mars’ renowned pet-care expertise, the collaboration successfully channelled care into meaningful action.

During World Animal Day 2025, the partners effectively promoted responsible pet care, while also creating shared value, and demonstrated how pet food manufacturers, retailers, and the public can work together to help pets thrive.

World Animal Day 2025: Bringing Awareness to Life

The initiative was showcased at South Africa’s largest World Animal Day gathering, which took place on Sunday, October 5, at the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town. More than 1,000 attendees and over 20 welfare organisations, including Paws-A-While and the SPCA, participated in the event, with support from the City of Cape Town.

The event, hosted by non-profit Paws-A-While, successfully blended community celebration with learning. Throughout the day, families met and adopted rescue pets, explored a pet-friendly market with local brands and expert advice, enjoyed live entertainment, supported causes through food stalls, and participated in educational activations led by welfare organisations.

Mars, its subsidiary Royal Canin, together with Pick n Pay, Takealot, and Pet Express, donated nearly 1,000 kilograms of pet food to animal welfare organisations while simultaneously supporting the expansion of sterilisation campaigns in underserved communities.

In the lead-up to World Animal Day 2025, the partners used their platforms to promote responsible pet care, highlight adoption opportunities, and share guidance on nutrition and wellbeing.

World Animal Day 2025: A Pet-Obsessed World Driving Change

With more than one billion pets globally, the world has become increasingly pet-obsessed. Mars’ 2024 global pet parent study, which included South Africa, found that 56% of people identify as pet parents, with nearly half being first-time owners. Meanwhile, one in three respondents said their pet was the most important thing in their lives.

This rise in pet ownership has shaped consumer behaviour significantly. As a result, pet food became one of the fastest-growing categories across South African retailers, reflecting how families prioritise their pets’ well-being.

By extending efforts beyond products into awareness and community engagement, Mars and its retail partners helped translate public enthusiasm into long-term well-being for companion animals.

Mars Pet Care’s Global Impact in Action For World Animal Day 2025

Mars has maintained a long track record of advancing pet wellbeing. Globally, over the past five years, the company has:

Supported nearly 10 million vulnerable pets

Donated over 100 million meals to pets in need

Sterilised more than 30,000 free-roaming animals and expanded sterilisation campaigns worldwide

Provided preventive care to over 100,000 pets, including wellness checks, preventive medicine and vaccinations

In 2024, Mars contributed R8,764,905 to Humane Society International programmes in South Africa, India, and Mexico, therefore demonstrating how evidence-driven, compassionate action creates change both globally and locally.

Voices That Advanced Pet Wellbeing

Suraya Hamdulay, Corporate Affairs Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mars

“Our mission is to create a Better World for Pets. We have a long history of partnering with others on this journey. This new collaboration for World Animal Day was a unique opportunity to bring education, awareness, and support to pets and their families across South Africa.”

Phillip Gittins, Head of Advertising, Pick’n Pay

“Pick n Pay has been a trusted pet partner for decades, offering families a wide range of pet solutions online and across our store formats. Through initiatives like Pet Club and our long-standing commitment to value and care, we were proud to support responsible pet ownership. By helping families provide for the pets they love, we continued to strengthen the trust our customers place in us and the communities we serve.”

Karla Levick, Chief Marketing Officer, Takealot

“Our platform connects millions of people every day. This initiative allowed those connections to extend beyond convenience into compassion, creating real, measurable impact for pets and families. We were excited to give our customers and employees opportunities to help create a Better World for Pets. Together with Mars, we showed how digital engagement and commerce can help create lasting care for communities nationwide.”

Carolyn Dudgeon, Founder, Paws-A-While

“Since 2021, our mission has been to bring South Africa’s welfare organizations together under one umbrella. Mars has been a long-standing supporter, and their partnership has been invaluable. Support from Mars, Takealot, Pet Express, and Pick n Pay helped us scale compassion so that more families and more pets could find each other, especially on World Animal Day. This initiative showed how community, education, and collaboration can transform lives.”

Discover More About Pet Care Excellence

Ready to learn more about creating a better world for pets? Visit the partner websites to explore premium pet care products, expert advice, and ongoing initiatives that support animal welfare.

Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or an experienced animal lover, these trusted brands continue to champion responsible pet ownership while also fostering community engagement that makes a lasting difference in the lives of companion animals across South Africa. Moreover, their ongoing commitment ensures that every pet receives the care and attention they deserve.