Happy International Dog Day! Here are Durban dog rescue organisations that keep tails wagging

• Facebook: 4 Paws and a Tale Rescue
• The Tale End Charity Shop: Thira Village, 142 Scott Street, Scottburgh
• Contact: 084 626 5508 | koekemoernicky4paws@gmail.com 

Based on the KZN South Coast, 4 Paws and a Tale Animal Rescue rescues and rehomes abandoned, abused and neglected animals in Scottburgh and surrounding areas.

The organisation also provides food, medical care, and shelter for stray and vulnerable animals in local townships and underprivileged communities.

They have a charity shop in Scottburgh which you can visit, plus they’re always on the hunt for dog and cat food, blankets and kennels. Any cash donations also help fund sterilisation, food programmes, and day-to-day running costs.

• Facebook: Pmb Animal Rescue & Rehome (PARR)
• Contact: Adoptions, fostering, volunteering and surrendering: Tina – 071 883 1457 (WhatsApp/SMS)
• Contact: Networking and donations: Andrea – 076 569 1743 or Eurika – 083 655 6278
• Email: rescues.pmb@gmail.com

PARR describes itself as a ‘last chance saloon’ for some of its rescues, working to rehabilitate, sterilise, and rehome stray and abandoned animals.

There are plenty of ways to get involved, whether you're ready to adopt, have space to foster, want to volunteer with transport or can donate food, bedding, veterinary products or money.

The adoption fee is R950 which covers:

• Vaccinations
• Deworming
• Tick and flea treatment 
• Sterilization
• Microchipping 
• Property inspection

• Website: Durban & Coast SPCA
• Address: 2 Willowfield Crescent, Springfield Park, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4051
• Contact: Springfield Park (Head Office) on 031 579 6500 | reception@spcadbn.org.za 
• Contact: Adoptions on 031 579 6524 | kennels@spcadbn.org.za 

The OG of animal shelters! Durban & Coast SPCA rescues, shelters, and rehomes lost and neglected animals, while also providing vet services for pets belonging to people who cannot afford private vet care.

Their work goes beyond finding homes: education, rehabilitation, and preventing animal cruelty are all part of its mission. This is the Durban-based SPCA, but there are lots of branches across KZN that you can support.

• Website: AACL Durban
• Address: 53 Artesia Avenue, Leckhampton Valley, Hammarsdale
• Contact: 031 736 9093 | adoptions@aacldurban.co.za 

AACL Durban has been protecting animals in the Greater Durban Area since 1959, with much of its work focused on informal settlements and underprivileged communities.

Stray and neglected animals are taken into care where possible, receiving treatment and rehabilitation before being matched with suitable adoptive homes. The organisation also works to prevent unwanted litters through sterilisation.

You can become an AACL member by choosing to support a specific branch, with your membership fee used to provide care and support for animals in need in that area. If you do not select a specific branch, your fee will be used to provide care and support for animals in need all across South Africa.

• Facebook: The KZN Doghouse
• Address: 80 Carrick Road, Queensburgh
• Contact: 071 929 6457 | thekzndoghouse@gmail.com 

The KZN Doghouse focuses on responsible rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming, while also providing assistance with found dogs. If not reclaimed within three to seven days, they are vaccinated and sterilised. Proof of ownership is required for animals being reclaimed.

You can support them by becoming a monthly donor which helps them provide medical care, food, and shelter to the animals in their care. 

They host a monthly Saturday Tails in Motion beach run or walk on Durban Promenade from 8.30am outside Surf Riders Café. Bring your dogs on a leash!

• Website: SAFE 
• Facebook: Safe Foster Network
• Contact: 081 564 1649 (WhatsApp) | talktous@safenetwork.org.za | info@safenetwork.org.za 
• Check animals for adoption: Click here

SAFE takes a different approach to the overwhelming number of unwanted, abandoned and abused dogs and puppies in KZN.

Its work centres around three key challenges: lack of sterilisation, education around responsible pet care, and poverty/job security.

Its foster programme provides a lifeline for at-risk, abused and neglected dogs, while its adoption programme works to match those dogs with appropriate forever homes.

The R800 adoption fee contributes to covering some of the costs of:

• Full vet examination
• Up-to-date vaccinations
• Up-to-date deworming
• Flea and tick treatment
• Sterilisation (if older than 6 months)
• Microchip (if older than 12 weeks) add R300 to the adoption fee

• Website: Phoenix Animal Care & Treatment
• Address: Phoenix, Durban
• Contact: WhatsApp 073 005 4275 | pact4068@gmail.com 

Established in 2012, Phoenix Animal Care & Treatment (PACT) provides care and medical treatment for animals in the Phoenix area.

When animals are found to have been abused or neglected, PACT can remove them from unsafe environments and work with its wider animal network to find appropriate homes. You can help by donating or volunteering for the cause. 

Rescue isn't just about the final adoption photo… there can be a long road of medical care, rehabilitation, and patience before a dog is ready for its next chapter.

• Website: Project Dog 
• Contact: quichamorgado@gmail.com 

Project Dog is powered by a network of ordinary people who are, quite simply, crazy about dogs.

The organisation works primarily with abandoned and abused animals, with rescued dogs cared for in foster homes rather than kennels. This allows them to socialise and develop in a home environment while waiting for their forever family.

Project Dog also places strong emphasis on sterilisation, helping prevent unwanted litters and the cycle of abandonment and neglect.

Donations of puppy food, toys, collars, blankets, beds, kennels and deworming medication are welcome.

• Website: Pug Rescue South Africa
• Contact: Cheryl Gaw on 082 449 2644 | info@pugrescue.co.za 

Got a soft spot for those unmistakable wrinkly faces? Pug Rescue South Africa is dedicated specifically to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming pugs in need.

The organisation highlights veterinary care, food, housing and animal welfare operations as key areas supported by donations, with an emphasis on transparent and accountable rescue.