Rescue, Rehab and Re-home Street Dogs in Africa

Dear Friends and Supporters,

In our last update we told you about our plan to hold a Mass Dipping Day to protect over 200 dogs in the community from tick bite fever, and we are thrilled to tell you it happened. We secured the Dazzle Dip, we got out into the community, and we treated dog after dog after dog. It was exhausting, it was emotional, and it was exactly what those animals needed. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.

Since then the rescue phone has not stopped. Our team of three, one holding the fort in the kennels and two out on rescue, has answered over 150 emergency calls. Call volume is up 59% on last month alone. We have rescued Raini, a severely emaciated dog battling tick bite fever who is slowly fighting her way back to health. Rio arrived unable to lift his head and is now wagging his tail like he owns the place. Our beloved mascot Kiara-Ruby spent three months in ICU and is now thriving with the de Beer family. Ghost and Sheba, a bonded pair overlooked for two and a half years, finally found a forever home together. DC, a Rednose Pitbull with a disability, spent one weekend as a foster and never went back. Several of our dogs are still receiving ongoing medical treatment and we are fighting hard for every one of them.

In May our Rescue Manager Richelle celebrated her birthday. She did not ask for anything for herself. She asked for relief. For one month where the weight felt a little lighter. Her local birthday fundraiser was a wonderful success and reminded us just how much people care when they hear the real story. So here is the real story. Our rent is paid. We have food secured until July 1st. But we are carrying $5,000 in outstanding vet bills and that number grows every time the rescue phone rings.

SAVE THE DATE: July 15 and 16 is GlobalGiving Bonus Day. Every donation of $100 or more will be proportionally matched with bonus funds. This is our biggest fundraising opportunity of the year and clearing that vet debt is our number one goal. Put the date in your diary, share it with one person who loves dogs, and lets make it count.

Thank you for being part of this. Rio is alive because of you. Kiara-Ruby is home because of you. Ghost and Sheba are on a sofa somewhere because of you. That is everything.

With love from Richelle and the whole DAW family, three humans, 100+ dogs, and zero plans to stop.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we look back over the last three months, we are struck by the sheer resilience of the 200+ dogs currently in our care and the immense dedication of our tiny team of three.

While our mission is to save lives, the reality of running a rescue haven of this size is a daily exercise in logistics, love, and very tough decision-making. We wanted to share an update on the progress we are making and the hurdles we are working to overcome.

Field Update: The Battle Against Tick Bite Fever

Our team recently returned from an intensive outreach mission in the local townships. We found dozens of dogs in desperate condition, their bodies overwhelmed by ticks. This isn't just a matter of discomfort; these parasites carry Tick Bite Fever, a silent killer that can wipe out a population if left unchecked.

Our team spent days going door-to-door, hand-treating 20 dogs, soothing their raw skin, and removing thousands of ticks one by one. It was a heart-wrenching sight, but seeing the dogs stand quietly, almost in gratitude, reminds us why we do this.

Unfortunately, the threat followed us back to the haven. One of our most gentle rescues, Cocoa, is currently in the fight of her life after a single infected tick slipped through our defenses. She has been rushed to emergency care, and we are doing everything in our power to see her through this.

The Challenges of the "Haven"

With 200 dogs and only three staff members, one on rescue and outreach, one managing the shelter, and one focusing on re-homing and admin, so we are stretched thin. Our rescue manager continues to handle midnight emergency calls, ensuring the "rescue phone" never goes unanswered.

However, the financial reality of this level of care is significant. To give you a picture of what it takes to keep this mission moving:

• Monthly Food Bill: $650

• Monthly Medication: $200

• Salaries and Rent: $1,200

• Existing Vet Debt: We currently owe $20,000 across three local vets who have kindly supported us during emergencies.

Our Strategy for 2026

To ensure we remain sustainable, we are focusing on two major goals this year:

1. Aggressive Re-homing: We are pushing our adoption and fostering programs harder than ever. Getting our numbers down at the farm is the only way to relieve the pressure on our staff and our budget.

2. Corporate Outreach: We are persistently reaching out to local shops and pet stores to help sponsor our food costs. While we are still waiting for that first "yes," we aren't giving up as we hope someone picks up and replies to us.

As a last resort, we are considering a cap on new rescues to match our fundraising levels until our vet debt is managed. This is a decision we hope we never have to make, but it is one we must consider to ensure the 200 dogs already in our care never go hungry.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we are organizing a Mass Dipping Day to protect over 200 dogs in the community. To make this happen, we are working to secure 25L of "Dazzle Dip" (which costs $115 per 5Litre ) and we are closely monitoring Cocoa’s vet bills, which we expect to reach $300–$350 (R5,000–R6,000).

Your past support has brought us this far, and we are so proud of what we have achieved together. We will continue to fight for the "Cocoas" of our community, ensuring that every dog has a chance at a life free from pain.

With gratitude and hope,