World Rescue Dog Day is just around the corner, and if you’ve been deciding on adopting a pet or shopping for you, this is your sign to choose the former.
South Africa (19 May 2025) — As World Rescue Dog Day approaches on 20 May, animal welfare organisations from all over are calling on people to consider adopting rescue dogs instead of purchasing them.
With millions of animals in South Africa facing homelessness, adoption remains one of the most compassionate and impactful actions individuals can take!
The Pet Overpopulation Crisis
South Africa is one of many countries currently grappling with a serious pet overpopulation crisis. An estimated 4.05 million dogs and cats live without permanent homes, including 1.7 million stray dogs, 1.7 million stray cats, and over 650,000 animals housed in shelters.
These figures are compounded by socio-economic challenges such as poverty, limited access to veterinary services, and low public awareness about the benefits of adopting rescue animals.
When You Help a Rescue, You Help the Team Behind Them Too
“Animal shelters across the country need your help,” says Fiona Miles, Director at FOUR PAWS South Africa.
“They are overcrowded, under-resourced, and often overlooked. Every adoption not only changes the life of a rescued animal but also helps relieve the immense pressure shelters face daily.”
Rescue Dogs Cannot Be Chalked Down to ‘Problem Dogs’
Despite common misconceptions, many rescue dogs are just as loving, healthy, and loyal as animals bought from breeders or pet shops. Many find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own, often as a result of abandonment, abuse, or financial hardship faced by their previous owners.
While some rescues certainly come from traumatic circumstances, this is not to say that they are by any means a lost cause.
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Animal welfare organisations all over South Africa work tirelessly to socialise animals and get them ready for life outside of the shelter!
Why Should You Adopt a Rescue Dog?
- Saving lives by providing a second chance to an animal in need.
- Fostering responsible pet ownership through education and support from shelter staff.
- Discouraging unethical breeding practices by reducing demand for commercially bred animals.
- Enriching your life with a loyal, grateful companion.
“By adopting a rescue dog, you are making a life-changing difference — not just for that one animal, but for the future of animal welfare in South Africa,” says Miles.
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