adoption & rescue
For over two decades, Domestic Animal Rescue Group( better known to us as DARG) has been giving abandoned, abused and neglected cats and dogs a second chance at life.
Based in Hout Bay, DARG’ s founders, Cicely Blumberg and Leslie McClaghlan, identified an urgent need for an animal shelter in the area due to the growing informal settlements.“ The mission at the time was to provide a sanctuary for dogs and cats,” says Faustina Gardner, managing director at DARG.
As these communities have expanded over the years, DARG’ s mission has become about much more.“ Sterilisation is now central to our work, as it is key to preventing cruelty, neglect, and pet overpopulation,” she explains.“ In addition, our mission is to find loving homes for the animals who enter our care so that we can continue to make space for and assist other dogs and cats in need.”
What is pro-quality-of-life?
DARG proudly calls itself a‘ pro-quality-of-life’ NGO, but what does that look like in the context of animal welfare?“ Pro-life facilities often take in too many animals, which can ultimately result in their physical and emotional needs not being adequately met,” explains Faustina.
At DARG, they not only focus on preventing suffering, but also on actively promoting a positive quality of life. In any shelter environment, kennel stress is a very real concern.“ DARG will not take in more dogs or cats if doing so would compromise the wellbeing of the animals already in our care,” says Faustina. This, she admits, often means making difficult decisions and maintaining animal numbers at a realistic and manageable level.
“ As a pro-quality-of-life facility, our priority is ensuring our dogs receive meaningful one-onone interaction with humans, appropriate socialisation, training, regular off-property
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