The lovable dogs at PAWS need urgent tender love and care at a forever home. Currently, the dog kennels at PAWS (Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society) are filled to the brim at 140 percent capacity with no room left for any strays.
PAWS are sending out a desperate call to the public to assist in any way possible whether it be adoption, donations, or volunteering to put a smile on these adorable dogs faces.
Video and photos: Wouter Pienaar
According to Michelle Swart at PAWS, there are approximately +- 240 dogs in the kennels, with some housing at least 3-4 dogs in one small area due to the lack of space for all the canines.
“We need the public to give these dogs a forever home. Dogs get dropped off at Paws for a variety of reasons, mainly due to the increasing financial costs of caring for the animals as well as when owners move to new apartments where dogs aren’t allowed,” explains Swart.
Members of the public who can’t adopt at this stage can also sponsor the dogs at Paws which helps to pay for sterilization and microchipping costs.
“We have two veterinarians (Dr Alex Chako and Stallone Terera) as well as two vet assistants who signs off on each animal that gets booked in at Paws. We are very strict regarding the process from placing the dogs in kennels all the way to the adoption process. Although we want animals to get a forever home, we will not give dogs away without going through the necessary steps to make sure that the dog can get cared for,” explains Swart. 
It has been well known that PAWS always go the extra mile when caring for their animals. The Paws Park is a prime example of this where dogs get some much-needed exercise out in a small yard.
“We take the dogs out of their kennels on a rotational basis every 30 minutes,” states Swart whilst playing with Charlotte and Sheila, two female dogs who have been at Paws for over a year.
The smiles and energetic playing from these two furry friends emphasises their need to get a new home where they can run and play to their hearts content. Back inside the kennels, Swart points out that a 3-year-old pitbull, Charlie Brown, has also been at Paws for a while. He’s sad eyes communicates a deep longing to be united with a new master, a love deeply entrenched in him wanting to burst out.
Charlie Brown is just one of over 240 dogs who need a new home urgently. PAWS is also a pro life shelter, meaning that they won’t euthanise dogs if they run out of space – therefore dogs can sometimes spend years at Paws before getting adopted. Swart also emphasised that none of man’s best friends’ get adopted when they are still unsterilised, as this would be counterproductive to the current situation. 
“We believe that every animal deserves a second chance. We don’t do shortcuts and make sure that each animal gets the care they need. We want all our animals to find their forever home.”
For more information phone PAWS on 071 681 9264
PAWS banking details: P.A.W.S Nedbank Acc.no.: 1120 758 521 Branch: Potchefstroom Branch code: 198 765
