adoption & rescue
The Rush Ndou DARG Community Clinic
Opened in 2023, the Rush Ndou DARG Community Clinic serves two informal settlements, Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg.“ Owners mostly do not have the means to get to the SPCA in Grassy Park, so our clinic plays a vital role in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases as well as treating animals in need of medical care.”
Since opening the clinic, DARG has seen a sharp decline in parvo cases as more owners bring their puppies for vaccination. Increasing numbers of residents are also sterilising their pets, significantly reducing overpopulation in both areas. While assisting with vaccinations and sterilisation, DARG educates owners on the importance of deworming to prevent heart disease, completing full puppy vaccinations, and treating animals for ticks and fleas.
The biggest challenges
Faustina acknowledges there is still much to be done.“ With fewer job opportunities and declining economic prosperity, many owners can no longer afford veterinary care.” As a result, animals often go without vaccinations, sterilisation, and treatment for injuries or illness.
“ The adoption landscape has also shifted since Covid,” she adds.“ Fewer adopters are willing to take on more challenging dogs or cats, and fewer households have the income to support more than one or two pets.” These factors directly affect the number of homes available for the thousands of animals in shelters nationwide.
“ We have also seen a marked increase in animals in the Western Cape needing to be rehomed over the last six months: the reasons are downsizing, loss of income, emigration, and then of course there are always behavioural issues that can be a factor.”
The picture may sound bleak, but that’ s why organisations like DARG need our support more than ever. For DARG to continue its work, sufficient funding is essential to cover monthly operating costs.“ Our goal is to have 2 000 + individuals commit to small monthly debit orders,” Faustina explains. Successful adoptions are also vital, as they free up space for incoming animals.
Equally important is public understanding of the value of adopting a rescue pet and learning about dog and cat behaviour to ensure well-adjusted, happy companions.“ True success comes when responsible community members actively support sterilisation, preventing unwanted litters and reducing the number of animals entering shelters in the first place.”
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