10 000 Cinemagoers Watched A Movie And Saved A Lion

Nu Metro raised over R50 000 for FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Foundation

Nu Metro Cinemas has donated over R50 000 to the FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Foundation – to “Rise Up and Roar” for one of the 21st century’s most important conservation causes. A donation drive was launched in July, whereby cinemagoers nationwide were given an opportunity to donate R5 as part of their Nu Metro movie ticket purchases online and in-cinema to raise funds aimed at saving South Africa’s lions.

“Nu Metro Cinemas is honoured to donate over R50 000 to FOUR PAWS, with a special thanks to the thousands of cinemagoers who contributed R5 to their movie ticket purchases at our cinemas across South Africa. The phenomenal response from public exceeded our wildest expectations and proved that they care, as much as we do, about the future of our animals and the environment,” says Chantelle Burrows, Nu Metro Cinemas: Marketing & Content Executive.

Fiona Miles, director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa (left) receives a donation of R50 120 from Chantelle Burrows, Nu Metro Cinemas’ marketing & content executive (right) at Nu Metro Canal Walk in Cape Town. Funding for this donation was raised through an innovative public campaign aimed at Nu Metro cinemagoers across South Africa.

“As FOUR PAWS’ conservation efforts rely solely on donations, we sincerely hope that our fundraising drive assisted in creating a better world for our big cats. Nu Metro is proud to have been a fundraising partner through our entertainment experiences and marketing platforms for this very important cause relevant to all human beings; we will continue to support the wonderful work done by organisations such as FOUR PAWS – making the world a better place for our children, and their children’s children. See you at the movies!” says Burrows.

“It has been a remarkable journey with the Nu Metro group; not only raising funds for our project, LIONSROCK big cat sanctuary, but also allowing us to raise awareness. In this partnership lies an invaluable exposure that we as an organisation rely on to not only tell the stories about our animals but to educate South Africans about the on-going plight of South Africa’s lions,” says Fiona Miles, director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa.

“It was an absolute dream working with the remarkable team of Nu Metro, who ensured the smooth sailing of our partnership throughout the past few months. We are extremely thankful for the very generous support from the team and look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come, by having a close ally to constantly raise awareness for South Africa’s lions who continue to be under siege,” says Miles.

With over 100 big cats in the care of FOUR PAWS at LIONSROCK, they constantly look at ways to ensure the longevity of this project through donation-support. These big cats consume almost 3,500kg meat per week, regular vet checks are done, maintenance to security and enclosures are required and further development of the sanctuary must be done in order to accommodate rescued animals.

About FOUR PAWS

FOUR PAWS is an animal welfare organisation in operation since 1988 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The organisation strives for a world where humans treat animals with respect and empathy – free from cruelty and danger. Throughout the years, FOUR PAWS identified various needs for helping animals and to accommodate the rescued big cats from across the globe, the organisation decided that South Africa would be the best location to establish a big cat sanctuary.

In 2006 the organisation formed its South African office and bought a then-breeding farm to immediately take over the existing lions at the farm and further develop the land into a safe haven for the majestic big cats who suffered under human control. Since then, more than 150 big cats were rescued and are cared for by a team of experts. It is the biggest of its kind in Africa, and has set world-class standards for care and security.

FOUR PAWS protects animals by campaigning and lobbying for changes to improve animal welfare standards. In South Africa FOUR PAWS focuses on putting an end to the exploitation of big cats for commercial purposes: an industry stimulating the demand for lions to be killed. In every stage of its life, lions are exploited for money: from petting lion cubs, walking with lions, trophy hunting and the worst – killing them for bones. The organisation is actively engaged to put an end to these practices.

More info: www.four-paws.org.za / www.facebook.com/fourpaws.za

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb