The Animal Anti-Cruelty League Johannesburg (AACL-JHB) is celebrating a remarkable milestone of 70 years of dedicated service to animals and communities across Johannesburg.

Founded in 1956, the organisation has spent seven decades providing shelter to abandoned and abused animals, investigating cases of cruelty, delivering affordable veterinary care and promoting responsible pet ownership through education and outreach.

Over the years, thousands of animals have found loving homes through AACL-JHB’s adoption programmes, while countless families have accessed life-saving veterinary services through the organisation’s hospital and community outreach initiatives.

A strategic shift

As it marks this historic anniversary, AACL-JHB is also announcing an important evolution in its approach to animal care, a strategic shift from a traditional focus on ‘animal welfare’ to a broader emphasis on animal wellness.

Marketing manager for AACL-JHB, Carren Nickloes, highlighted that the milestone offers an opportunity to reflect and adapt to the changing needs of both animals and the communities who care for them.

“As we celebrate 70 years, we are looking at how we can evolve to assist our community and their pets better,” said Nickloes. “This includes shifting from traditional animal welfare to a broader focus on animal wellness.”

From protection to thriving

While protection from cruelty remains central to the organisation’s mission, AACL-JHB is aligning its work with the internationally recognised Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare.

The model focuses on five key areas that influence an animal’s well-being: nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental well-being.

“This progressive framework recognises that an animal’s physical condition directly impacts its emotional state,” explained Nickloes. “It moves beyond simply preventing suffering and focuses on creating opportunities for animals to truly thrive.”

After 70 years of protecting animals, the organisation believes the next step is to strengthen prevention, education and community support.

“Our goal is not only to rescue and shelter animals in crisis, but also to ensure fewer animals reach crisis in the first place.”

A modern approach to community impact

The shift toward wellness builds on and strengthens AACL-JHB’s existing programmes, which already serve thousands of animals and pet owners every year.

These services include affordable preventive veterinary care and wellness clinics, sterilisation drives to reduce unplanned litters, vaccination programmes that protect both animals and public health, humane education programmes for schools and pet caregivers, inspectorate services that investigate and prevent cruelty, and shelter services and responsible adoption programmes.

By prioritising preventive care and education, the organisation hopes to reduce long-term shelter intake while improving the overall well-being of animals throughout Johannesburg.

70 years of community partnership

AACL-JHB operates as a registered NPO (NPO 000-560) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930006842), making it a compliant and credible partner for corporate social investment initiatives.

However, sustaining and expanding its services depends heavily on public support.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, sponsors, staff and community members who have made 70 years of service possible,” shared Nickloes. “The next chapter of AACL-JHB is one of innovation, collaboration and leadership in modern animal care.”

Under the banner of ’70 Years of Protection – A Future of Wellness’, AACL-JHB will launch a year-long campaign throughout 2026, highlighting its transition toward a wellness-focused, prevention-led model aligned with international best practice.

The organisation is inviting corporates, community members and partners to help shape the next chapter of its work- ensuring that animals across Johannesburg not only survive, but thrive.

For more information, sponsorships or partnerships, contact 011 435 0672 or visit AACL-JHB at 59 Alice Street, Regents Park.