Woodrock News & Newsletters

This past weekend, Woodrock Animal Rescue held another successful community outreach in Olievenhoutbosch, one of our most impactful yet. 208 dogs received rabies vaccinations with additional care provided to puppies and vulnerable animals. A further 78 animals signed up for sterilisation, helping prevent unwanted litters and promote responsible pet ownership. But amid the progress, tragedy struck. A dog ran towards our team without a collar or harness and was tragically hit b

You guys have been amazing. We could never have helped save these puppies without you. It all started with seven tiny puppies. They arrived at our door after their mum had been poisoned and tragically died, leaving seven newborns without the one thing they needed most: their mum. Their eyes hadn’t even opened. Suddenly, they needed everything from us. Warmth. Bottle feeds through the night. Baths. Flea removal. Cuddles. Then came vaccinations, deworming, food and microchippin

At 10 years old, Dusty has already had to start over more than once. We first came across this Mexican Hairless Dog when Stella, Nicholas and Jacqui rescued him from a dilapidated shelter housing hairless breeds. The animals were living in the most horrific conditions, and we convinced the breeders to surrender the ones most desperately in need of care. This little fighter was one of them. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to rehabilitate Dusty, happily he was adopted into a h

When Phoebe arrived at Woodrock with another dog who was bullying her, she had lost her confidence and, with it, her personality. Today, she is a completely different little dog. Her new family has given her the love, care and confidence to rediscover her happy, playful self and a whole new lease on life. Her mom shares Phoebe’s beautiful journey from a fragile little Frenchie to the adored girl she is today. “Phoebe stole my heart the moment I met her. She climbed straight o

We recently held a hugely successful Puppy Day at Nine Yards in Parktown North, with more than 30 adoption applications and so many of our puppies taking a step closer to their forever homes. But while we celebrate those happy beginnings, our job isn’t done yet. Some of the puppies who came along to Puppy Day are still waiting. They watched other pups meet their families and head off towards their happy endings, while they were left behind, still hoping that someone would s

Our Mandela Day Walk of Giving was a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together for a shared purpose. Over the weekend, our farm welcomed sponsors, rescue partners, school groups, corporate teams, families, volunteers and animal lovers, all united in support of vulnerable animals. Every step along the 6.7km trail, every donation and every act of kindness helped make a real difference. We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors – Hill’s Pet

Join Woodrock’s 6.7km Walk of Giving and help create lasting change for vulnerable animals This Mandela Day we’re doing things a little differently. Rather than asking you to simply give up 67 of minutes of your time to do a good deed, we invite you to walk the road of rescue with us. Open to friends, families, school groups and corporate teams, this unique 6.7km walk takes you across our farm in the Hennops River Valley, immersing you in an interactive experience that brin

When two eight-month-old greyhound puppies arrived from one of the nearby communities, our shelter was already full. We still couldn’t say “no.” Helping vulnerable animals receive lifesaving care is exactly why outreach is such an important part of what we do. Through our outreach programme, we support people like Tracey Bosman, an animal welfare inspector whose work in Olievenhoutbosch provides vulnerable animals with food, veterinary care, education and sterilisation su

Woolworths MyDifference users are encouraged to review and select the causes they support before the end of this month. If you’re wondering what the simplest way is to support our rescues, it starts with something you’re probably already doing: shopping at Woolworths. But here’s the catch: We can only benefit from your support if you’ve selected us as a chosen beneficiary on Woolworths MyDifference. So, this is a gentle reminder to please make sure you’ve added us. By add

He arrived matted; his face hidden by years of neglect. But underneath the heavy tangled curls was a special young boy with so much love to give. Jasper came to us during an outreach in Danville after his owner said they no longer wanted him. We were told he was “attacking the other dogs” and needed to be taken away. But the dog who arrived told a very different story. Jasper was severely matted, his coat completely covering his eyes. Had he ever been groomed in his you

As Mental Health Awareness Month is recognised globally this May, we’re reminded that support doesn’t always arrive in big, obvious ways: sometimes, it’s found in small, meaningful moments of connection. It is this understanding which inspired the creation of Woodrock’s innovative wellness programme, Paws @ Work, which harnesses the power of “furry antidepressants” to ease stress and anxiety in even the most high-powered environments. Initially piloted at a leading healthca

Eben Pet-zebeth, a black Boerboel cross Mastiff, weighed just 38kg when he arrived at Woodrock. Frail and suffering from seizures, he was referred to the Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre for further testing. It was there that he met Minki, a receptionist of five years and a certified trainer, at a time when her world had been turned upside down. “Something about him stopped me in my tracks,” says Minki. “He came into my life at a time when I needed him most — t

Catwalk pictures: Eunice Driver Photography We’re beaming with pride after our pre-loved shoes and accessories lit up the catwalk at SA Fashion Week! From statement necklaces to beautifully bags, boots to heels, pieces sourced from our Woodrock thrift store in Parkwood stepped into a bold new chapter, reimagined on the runway as part of the Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs show. Titled There’s Nothing New Under the Sun, the collection was crafted entirely from offcuts, repurpo

Fashion lovers, thrifters and treasure hunters, we have exciting news! Woodrock Thrift is heading to South African Fashion Week this Friday, 24 April, at Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Our moment on the fashion week ramp comes after we were asked to accessorise the new range by Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs, a brand rooted in sustainability, heritage and conscious design. Titled “There’s Nothing New Under the Sun,” this collection is made entirely from offcuts, repurposed garments a

At Woodrock Animal Rescue, connection is at the heart of everything we do. This past weekend was a beautiful reflection of that. We partnered on not one, but two puppy yoga experiences across Johannesburg, bringing together movement, mindfulness, and rescue in a truly special way. At our farm in Hennops Valley, Wellness Club hosted Paws and Poses : a joyful flow of wagging tails, deep stretches, and plenty of puppy love in every pose. At the same time, our pop-up adop

At Woodrock, outreach is at the heart of what we do. It’s how we bring prevention and care directly into communities, supporting both animals and the people who love them. On Friday, 20 March, our team visited Danville, a community west of Pretoria where many rely on outreach support to give their animals the veterinary care they desperately need. ON THE DAY: 80 dogs vaccinated against rabies 80 dogs dipped, dewormed, and treated for ticks and fleas 8 animals treated fo

At Woodrock Animal Rescue, donkeys have a special place in our hearts. Our co-founder Nicholas Meldau has always spoken about the deep suffering these tender-natured animals endure. In fact, from a young age he dreamt of opening a donkey sanctuary. And while Woodrock’s journey has grown into a broader rescue mission for animals in need, donkeys are an important part of our rescue work. Donkeys need proper care. They need safety. And they need love. This truth became heartbre

What began after the award-winning real estate powerhouse’s two entrepreneurial children sought to support animal rescue has grown into a meaningful partnership – and the arrival of the new Woodrock Thrift store in Parkwood. For Byron Thomas, his connection with Woodrock Animal Rescue began with a simple but powerful idea sparked by his children. After making and selling bracelets in their neighbourhood, the two philanthropically minded youngsters set out to donate the mone

From snare victim to second chance Towards the end of last year, we got a call about two dogs barking frantically at the river nearby. When we arrived, we found Lester - an Africanis - caught in a snare. The wire had embedded deeply into his neck. In trying to free himself, he had snapped the snare, but it remained lodged in him, causing immense pain. By his side was Luke, a black spaniel cross, fiercely protective and unwilling to let anyone near Lester. At Woodrock, we w

As the tax year draws to a close on 28 February , this is your last week to make a meaningful difference while also receiving a tax benefit. That’s because, when you donate to Woodrock Animal Rescue before the end of the tax year, your contribution may qualify for a tax deduction under Section 18A of the Income Tax Act. This means your generosity doesn’t only change lives – it can also reduce your taxable income. Why Donate Now? • Your donation rescues. • Your donation rehab