#SupportLocal: Joburg Animal Rescues In The City

Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre

This one is a little further out from the city, but they deserve a mention! Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre is a registered non-profit organisation that has been running since April 1999. The kind souls that run this centre are devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing abandoned, abused and neglected animals. Here, they believe in the right to life, which means they don't euthanise animals that don't find their furever homes within a certain time frame; they only consider it in the most extreme cases – that being if the animal is suffering. Your donations go towards the sterilisation, de-worming, vaccinating and microchipping of their resident fur babies, as well as any other medical treatment they may need, telephone expenses, petrol, salaries, electricity bills and constant maintenance to the property and kennels. How you can help: Make a donation; adopt a pet; support their vet; sponsor a kennel. Details: www.wetnose.co.za | [email protected] | 013 932 3941 | Plot 75, Old BHS/Pta Road, Vaalbank, Bronkhorstspruit (50km east of Pretoria). Animal Rescues

4Paws Animal Shelter

Established in July 2006, 4Paws Animal Shelter in Diepsloot is a registered NPO that aims to improve the quality of life of underprivileged animals and feral cats. A huge issue in poor areas is that people simply do not have the means, transport or finances to provide their animals with basic healthcare, which is where 4Paws steps in to provide primary healthcare services, veterinary treatments and sterilisations, FREE of charge. Because of this, they rely completely on the kindness and donations of animal lovers. They also take in, rehabilitate and re-home fur babies looking for a loving family. How you can help: Make a donation; donation of second-hand, good quality home, garden or office items for resale; animal essentials such as baskets, blankets, metal baths, etc; volunteer. Details: www.4ourpaws.org.za | [email protected] | 083 377 3219 | Plot 125, Diepsloot, R511, Johannesburg.

Dogtown SA

Dogtown SA (NPO number: 095-264; PBO number: 930032491) is a safe haven for dogs who have lost their families or have been rescued. Every day, the dedicated team at Dogtown give individual care to each of these rescued dogs in a happy and loving environment while they wait for their furever homes to come knocking. There are plenty of wonderful dogs at Dogtown SA who are just wishing and hoping for a second chance at a new life in a loving family. Even if you can't take one of these lovely souls home, you can certainly help out in other ways. How you can help: Make a donation; sponsor a Dogtown friend; support fundraising events; buy their merchandise; volunteer. Details: www.barkingmad.co.za | [email protected] | 076 044 1979 / 073 092 7800 | Plot 100, Schuverberg, Hartebeestpoort, North-West. Animal Rescues

Paws R Us

PAWS R US (SA) was founded in 2011 and focuses on educating the public and rescuing and re-homing abandoned, unwanted or 'threatened' dogs in the Gauteng area. You can make a difference to their rescue babies' lives not only through donations, but also by contributing to their wish list or volunteering. They'd appreciate volunteer dog walkers to assist them on Saturdays, as well as DIY and gardening enthusiasts, plumbing folk and a few other roles to help them work better and smarter to expand their reach. How you can help: Make a donation, contribute to their wish list, volunteer. Details: www.pawsrus.co.za | [email protected] | Cadeau Kennels, 22 Summit Road, Midrand, Johannesburg.

Woodrock Animal Rescue

Each and every animal deserves to be part of a loving and stable home and family, which is why Woodrock Animal Rescue is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing dogs. They're a non-profit, pro-life facility located in Gauteng (103-156 NPO), originally from Woodmead and Khyber Rock, (hence the name) and now based on 8.5 hectares in the beautiful Hennops River Valley. Woodrock Animal Rescue is home to over 130 animals (mostly dogs) who need furever homes. So, if you're looking to expand your family with a new four-legged companion, pay them a visit between Tuesday and Sunday. How you can help: Make a donation; adopt a fur kid; contribute to their wish list; volunteer; support their pet hotel. Details: www.woodrockanimalrescue.com | [email protected] | 076 155 4439 | Plot 51, on the R511 between Fourways and Hartbeespoort, Hennops River Valley. Animal Rescue

Kitty & Puppy Haven

Kitty and Puppy Haven is a pro-life sanctuary which started in 2000 with the sole purpose of rescuing neglected, abused and abandoned animals. They educate the public on correct animal care and they also provide the animals in their care with the best medical attention, dietary requirements and love and attention while they're nursed back to health and await placement in their furever homes. The facility will not euthanise any animals if they can be healed and live a healthy, pain-free, happy life. How you can help: Make a donation; donate food stuffs; contribute to their wish list; adopt a fur kid. Details: www.kittypuppyhaven.org.za | [email protected] | 010 224 0760 / 0763 | 37 Modderfontein Road, President Park, Midrand, Johannesburg

Sandton SPCA

Probably one of the most well-known animal rescues in the city, the Sandton SPCA is a non-profit organisation that relies solely on the generosity of the general public for financial support. Their aim is to protect animals from cruelty and provide a place of safety and care for all animals in distress. And when they say all animals, they mean ALL animals – from wildlife, equine and farm animals to marine life and animals used for experimentation. Other than protecting, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, they also offer a clinic, a lost and found service, inspections and a youth programme. How you can help: Make a donation; host a birthday fundraiser; volunteer; contribute to their wish list; adopt a pet. Details: www.sandtonspca.org.za | [email protected] | 011 444 7730 | 9th Street, Marlboro Gardens, Sandton, Johannesburg.

Soweto Animal Rescue & Advisory Centre (SARAC)

If you listened to Whackhead's morning shows on 94.7, you'll know all about SARAC and Jerry. The Soweto Animal Rescue & Advisory Centre is on a mission is to improve the lives of animals in Soweto and its surrounds by changing peoples' attitudes towards animals, hosting educational classes and enlisting the help of children (called Jerry’s Rangers) to provide a sanctuary for animals in need. They also assist the community with sterilisation, dipping, de-worming and medical care of animals. How can you can help: Adopt a pet, volunteer, make a donation, contribute to their wish list. Details: www.sarac.co.za | [email protected] | 084 911 9459 | 595 Bennet Street, Zuurbekom, Soweto, Johannesburg Animal Rescue

Pug Rescue

A lot of people speak highly of this place, which is proof that their passion for animals shines through and we absolutely think this is beautiful, because every animal needs a Hooman to love for the rest of their lives. Pug Rescue South Africa rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes unwanted, abandoned, neglected and surrendered dogs in South Africa. They also offer welfare assistance where and when needed to Pugs and honourary pugs, they never turn down any animal which is what makes them close and dear to our hearts. They go the extra mile for each and every animal, providing them with the best medical care and all the love they so desperately long for. They are proudly sponsored by Dogs Haven and is also the home for Pickle the Dwarf Pug. They offer sanctuary to Pugs who do not find homes and a retirement offering to old pugs. This place is definitely one to check out. How you can help: Make a donation; apply for a Myplanet card; volunteer; contribute to their wish list; adopt a pet; sponsor a sanctuary pug/honourary pug. Details: www.pugrescue.co.za | [email protected] | 082 508 0384 | Pugs H(e)aven, 80/1 Nielsen Road, Benoni North Argicultural Holdings, Benoni, Johannesburg.