The Ark Animal Centre has made it its mission to take in and care for vulnerable or abandoned puppies and pregnant bitches from around Gauteng.
The centre, in Fourways in the north of Johannesburg, is an animal shelter and rehabilitation facility that opened in July 2011. Considered to be the fastest growing animal welfare centre in the country, it homed about 100 dogs in its first 100 days of operation.
Two unpaid permanent members of office staff run the non-profit organisation, assisted by three paid members of the kennel staff. These permanent employees are supplemented by a number of volunteers who share the same passion for their four-legged friends and want to ensure every dog that comes through the gates receives the care and expertise of the organisation.
The animal centre offers rehabilitation to puppies, small breed dogs and pregnant bitches that are in a bad way. It nurtures those that are unhealthy back to healthThe animal centre offers rehabilitation to puppies, small breed dogs and pregnant bitches that are in a bad way. It nurtures those that are unhealthy back to health, and tries to find new homes for the many canines in its care.
There are usually between 50 and 60 puppies and pregnant bitches on the premises at any given time, although this may differ from day to day depending on how often the dogs are adopted. In 2012, the organisation found homes for 623 puppies where they will get the love and care they need to thrive.
Talking about her motivation in caring for the dogs, Candice, one of the facilitators at The Ark, asks: “If you were made aware of a problem and had the opportunity to make a difference, would you turn your back on it? It is not easy to be in this industry. As we always say, we see the absolute best of people and then we see the absolute worst the human race has to offer. But in saying that we do our best, we have a fabulous support base, our Facebook fans are brilliant and keep us going on days we feel a bit down.”
Adopt a puppy
The Ark urges people who are in the market for a puppy to visit the centre to choose one that “steals your heart”. The adoption fee is R900, which includes the first two inoculations, a rabies vaccination, de-worming and sterilisation. More information about the adoption process is available on The Ark’s Adoption Page.
It also offers lessons on how to care for domestic animals properly and how to integrate new arrivals into your home seamlessly. Apart from this, the organisation also advocates for animal rights and strives to build awareness around the issues of abuse and poor care of domestic animals.
People are also encouraged to lend a hand to the animal centre through volunteering. More information about this option is available on The Ark Animal Centre website. The centre also offers a community service programme as well as a school holiday programme during which schoolchildren can take part in some of its day-to-day activities.
The organisation also opens its doors to animal lovers and offers lessons on how to properly care for domestic animals and how to properly integrate new arrivals into their homes seamlesslyAs a non-profit organisation, the Ark relies heavily on donations from caring members of the public. For those who want to help but cannot or do not want to adopt a dog, there are a few alternatives. To help out financially, one can make a donation via electronic cash transfer or direct deposit, or one can become an Ark Angel by sponsoring a puppy at R350 for a month or R2 000 for six months. Banking details are available on the Get Involved page on the website.
Sponsors can visit the animal centre choose a puppy to assist – and can return as often as they like to visit. They can also name the puppy. In return, they will receive a monthly letter and photograph of the puppy. Sponsors also get first choice for adoption should they change their minds.
Play your part in ensuring the well-being of vulnerable and abandoned puppies and pregnant bitches, contact them via telephone on 087 742 2211.
