Adopting a dog from a shelter is a life-changing event that gives both a pet in need another chance at a happy life in a loving home, & you a new bestie. We are privileged to have several reputable dog shelters in Cape Town who are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, & rehoming abandoned or neglected dogs. These organisations prioritise the wellbeing of their pets, ensuring they are placed in responsible & caring homes.
This article highlights some of the best dog shelters in Cape Town based on their reputation, adoption policies, & the quality of care they provide. Whether you are looking for a playful puppy or an older loyal companion, these shelters offer a variety of pooches looking for their forever homes.
By adopting, you are making a lasting difference in the life of a dog & supporting the ongoing mission of these shelters.
Remember, adoption truly saves lives—Adopt, don’t shop.
Explore these homing centres if you are considering adopting a dog, or if you’ve just adopted one. Visit MediPet’s Ultimate Guide for more information on pet insurance, or get a quote in minutes to make sure your new furry friend is covered.
Key Takeaways:
- Adopting from a reputable shelter gives rescued dogs a second chance at a loving home.
- Each featured shelter offers structured adoption processes, medical care, & post-adoption support.
- If you can’t adopt, consider fostering, volunteering, or donating to help support animal welfare.
Table of contents
How To Choose The Right Shelter & Adopt Responsibly
Adopting a dog from a shelter is an important choice that helps reduce the number of stray & abandoned pets left on the streets in Cape Town. Compared to purchasing from breeders, adoption supports ethical animal welfare efforts & gives dogs a second chance at a life they deserve.
Consideration for finding a dog adoption shelter:
- Location & accessibility: Choose a shelter that is convenient for visits & follow-ups.
- Adoption fees: Fees may vary & typically cover vaccinations, microchipping, & sterilisation.
- Shelter policies: Ensure you understand the adoption criteria of that dog shelter, including home checks & medical requirements.
Before adopting, research the shelter’s adoption process & required documentation. You must be fully prepared for the long-term commitment & responsibilities of pet ownership including pet insurance.
Choosing pet insurance is a responsible & valuable decision to make when considering adopting a pet. It’s especially recommended to cover dogs’ health while they’re still young, as they tend to get up to more mischief & are still learning, making them a higher risk for accidents & illnesses. This helps protect your pocket against the risk of major vet bills, ensuring they have the care they need throughout their lives.
If adoption isn’t an option, consider fostering dogs to help dogs in need of love & support by providing a temporary home.
Top 7 Dog Shelters In Cape Town
Adopting from a reputable dog shelter is a meaningful way to provide a rescued dog with a second chance at a nurturing home. These shelters work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, & rehome stray & abandoned dogs, ensuring their well-being & responsible placement.
The following 7 dog shelters have been selected based on their reputation, ethical adoption policies, & commitment to high animal welfare standards. Each shelter offers a structured adoption process, thorough medical care, & additional support for adopters.
Explore the following shelter, to find your furry friend for your home.
1. Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Location: Grassy Park, Cape Town (other branches are located all over South Africa.)
As one of the oldest & most well-known animal welfare organisations in South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has a 150-year-old mission to end animal cruelty & provide pets with welfare, protection, & forever homes. They offer veterinary care, rehabilitation programs, volunteer opportunities & adoption services.
Thorough & strict adoption processes are conducted to ensure responsible pet ownership & that they are going to a safe environment. They know each animal well before adoption, ensuring that each dog is matched with their ideal owner.
Contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA via +27 21 700 4140, info@capespca.co.za or visit an SPCA shelter closest to you. You can read their reviews on Google or Facebook, & to learn more, explore their Instagram page.
Process & Requirements:
- All potential adopters must complete an application form & undergo a home check.
- A deposit fee, proof of residence, & identification are required.
- The SPCA ensures each dog is matched with a suitable owner based on their lifestyle & home environment.
- A potential owner must have sufficient living space with fencing or walls, access to clean water, & appropriate shelter for their animal.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- All adopted dogs receive core vaccinations before being rehomed.
- Sterilisation is a mandatory procedure to prevent unwanted puppies.
- Owners must be equipped to cover vaccinations, deworming, regular medical checkups, & any unexpected costs.
Adoption Fee:
A R200 deposit is required after the initial adoption criteria are met, covering the home inspection and final steps in the adoption process.
Additional Services & Support:
- Education on responsible pet ownership.
- Opportunities for volunteering & fostering.
- The SPCA services include mobile clinics, animal hospitals, lost & found centres & more.
- How to donate or contribute to animal welfare efforts.
2. Oscars Arc Woof Project
Location:
- Adoption Centre: Foreshore, Cape Town.
- Pop-up Locations: The V&A Waterfront & other popular locations around Cape Town.
The Oscars Arc Woof Project is a pioneering adoption centre that makes it easier than ever to give a rescue dog their forever home. Unlike traditional shelters, Oscars Arc operates through its WOOF Project, which is a mobile adoption unit stationed at popular locations across Cape Town. This creative model ensures that potential adopters can meet & interact with dogs in a friendly & open environment.
Oscars Arc is committed to ethical & responsible adoptions, ensuring that each dog is carefully matched to a suitable home.
Contact Oscars Arc via 081 347 0784 or email them at woof@oscarsarc.org. You can also visit their website to see the many dogs up for adoption. Check out their latest adoptions & updates on Instagram, YouTube & Facebook.
Process & Requirements:
- Potential owners can visit one of the WOOF Project pop-up locations or the adoption centre & interact with the dogs.
- If an owner is interested in adopting a dog, they required to fill out an application form.
- A home-check will be facilitated within 48 hours, or you can send home videos to them directly to prove your living space is suitable for the adoption.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- All adult dogs are fully vaccinated, sterilised, & microchipped before adoption.
- Puppies must be sterilised within the first 6 months, but they offer this at a reduced rate with one of their partner vets.
- Medical history & behavioural notes are provided to adopters.
- Ongoing vet support & guidance are available.
Adoption Fee:
No adoption fees are required, but they take donations.
Additional Services & Support:
- Pet care advice & post-adoption support for new owners.
- Donations & sponsorships help fund their life-saving rescue work.
- There are opportunities to volunteer, even kids, & support their animal welfare initiatives.
3. Tears Animal Rescue
Location: Sunnydale, Cape Town.
Tears Animal Rescue is a leading animal welfare organisation dedicated to helping save & protect dogs in need. Established in 1999, TEARS focuses on helping homeless, abandoned, & abused animals while promoting responsible pet ownership. Their experienced team works with community & animal welfare groups, ensuring long-term successful placements. TEARS follows a thorough adoption process to ensure every dog is placed in a safe, loving environment.
The organisation also has four dedicated thrift stores in Sunny Acres, Fish Hoek, Valyland, & Retreat where you can donate or purchase quality, affordable items while contributing to a meaningful cause. Their loyalty programs support sustainability & involve community members in a meaningful cause.
Contact TEARS via 021 785 4482, email at tears@tears.org.za, or visit their website to view their adoption processes. To read reviews from happy pet owners or read their latest news & updates, visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
Process & Requirements:
- Complete an online application form & meet with TEARS representatives who will introduce you to the animals available for adoption.
- A home check is conducted to assess the suitability of the environment.
- TEARS ensures a good match between adopters & dogs based on lifestyle & needs.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- Provides essential medical treatment for rescues, ensuring they are in the best state of health.
- They provide vaccinations, microchipping, flea & tick treatment, sterilisation, behavioural assessments, deworming & a general exam.
- The TEARS Veterinary Clinic conducts radiographs, diagnostics, surgery, & a variety of treatments to community pets & those animals rescued & admitted by the TEARS Mobile Clinic Teams.
Adoption Fee:
R950, if an owner passes all required checks. This covers vet checks, vaccinations, & microchipping.
Additional Services & Support:
- TEARS thrift stores allow you to shop for affordable & pre-loved items, with all proceeds going to their rescue missions, veterinary care, & community programs.
- Their book club & monthly newsletters grant you a membership card & loyalty reward points.
- The TEARS Veterinary Hospital offers veterinary care & rehabilitation to injured, abandoned, abused, & homeless dogs.
- Behaviour assessments form part of the adoption process & ensure dogs are placed in suitable homes.
4. DARG (Domestic Animal Rescue Group)
Location: Hout Bay, Cape Town.
DARG is a non-profit rescue centre that provides a haven for abused, neglected, & abandoned dogs in Hout Bay. For decades they have been working to rehabilitate & rehome animals while educating the public about responsible pet ownership. They work hard to ensure that every dog receives the care & support they need until they find a permanent owner.
DARG operates with a full adoption screening process & they offer community veterinary services, sterilisation campaigns, & educational programs to prevent pet overpopulation & abandonment.
Contact DARG via +27 21 790 0383, email them at adoptions@darg.org.za, or visit their website to learn more about their adoption process. For updates, success stories, & community news, follow their social media pages on Facebook & Instagram.
Process & Requirements:
- Interested adopters must first visit a DARG shelter to meet the dogs that are up for adoption.
- Complete an application form to be reviewed by one of the DARG team members.
- If you own other dogs or animals, a meeting between them & the rescue dog will be facilitated by a qualified behaviourist.
- A home check is conducted to ensure the environment is suitable for the dog.
- Once all requirements have been met, you can take your new family member home with you.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- The Rush Ndou DARG Community Clinic serves pets in lower-income areas, ensuring they receive essential veterinary care, sterilisation & vaccinations.
- Most pets arriving at DARG locations are rescues & have been neglected or abandoned, so they receive the necessary vaccinations & medical care as soon as they arrive at the pet rescue facilities.
Adoption Fee:
R850 for the adoption process.
Additional Services & Support:
- The DARG book shack is located at their Hout Bay property & sells books for as little as R10.
- They have an online shop, a garage shop selling pre-loved clothing, homeware, & other antiques, with all proceeds supporting the upkeep & costs at all the shelters.
- Volunteer programs at their shops or fundraisers are offered to individuals over 18 years of age.
5. Cheryl Lyn’s Rescue Organisation
Location: Table View, Cape Town.
Cheryl Lyn’s Rescue Organisation (CLRO) is a non-profit rescue centre dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, & rehoming stray & abandoned dogs. Founded by Cheryl Lyn Smith, CLRO ensures that each animal undergoes physical & emotional rehabilitation, to prepare them for a loving, forever home.
CLRO follows a detailed adoption process so that dogs are matched with responsible owners. They assess each dog’s temperament & needs, making sure they are placed in a suitable environment. The organisation also actively educates the public on responsible pet ownership & supports sterilisation efforts to prevent animal overpopulation.
Contact Cheryl Lyn’s Rescue Organisation on 082 770 2667 or via email at clrescueorg@gmail.com. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates & adoption success stories. Visit their website to adopt your next furry companion.
Process & Requirements:
- Complete an adoption application & interview with CLRO representatives.
- A home check is conducted to ensure a safe environment for the dog.
- Adoption fees help cover veterinary costs & shelter needs.
- CLRO prioritises responsible pet ownership & provides guidance throughout the process.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- All animals are sterilised, vaccinated & microchipped.
- Adoption fees cover the animal’s first round of vaccinations, with the addition of de-worming & flea treatment.
Adoption Fee:
R1 150 to cover initial medical costs.
Additional Services & Support:
- Foster programs are offered for those who want to help but can’t adopt permanently.
- The company pioneer’s community education on responsible pet ownership.
- A BackaBuddy fundraising effort has been started to support rescue & rehabilitation initiatives.
- Expert teams have Level 3 First Aid Dog Training to support any emergency cases.
6. Fallen Angels Pet Rescue
Location: Melkbosstrand, Cape Town.
Founded in 2014, Fallen Angels Pet Rescue is a non-profit organisation that aims to help “fallen”, abandoned, abused & neglected dogs & cats. Their shelter rescues, rehabilitates & rehomes these animals in desperate need of care, & they work tirelessly to find them loving forever homes.
The organisation is run by passionate volunteers who strive to rehabilitate each dog, focusing on socialisation & behavioural support to help them transition smoothly into home environments.
Contact Fallen Angels via +27 74 581 5002, email them at fallenangelsrehab@gmail.com, or visit their website to learn more about their adoption process. For updates, success stories, & community news, follow their social media pages on Facebook & Instagram.
Process & Requirements:
- Interested adopters must complete an application form & undergo a meet & greet with the pet they are interested in adopting.
- A home check is required to assess the living environment, & random welfare checks might be conducted if needed.
- Adoption fees help cover vet care, sterilisation, & basic needs.
- Trial adoption periods may be offered to ensure a good fit.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- The adoption fee for all dogs includes sterilisation, micro-chipping, deworming & their first round of vaccinations.
- Adopted pets must receive their full set of vaccinations & ongoing veterinary care as advised.
- The organisation cannot guarantee an animal’s full medical history but takes every precaution to ensure their health before adoption.
Adoption Fee:
- R1 000 adoption fee for adult dogs
- R1 350 adoption fee for puppies
Additional Services & Support:
- Volunteers & foster parents are always welcome to assist with care & rehabilitation.
- Fallen Angels holds fundraising events to support their rescue efforts.
- Public outreach campaigns promote responsible pet adoption & the need for sterilisation.
- The Fallen Angels Charity Shop accepts second-hand items to resell, & all profit will go to shelter upkeep & expenses.
7. The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL)
Location: Epping & Belville, Cape Town. (Including Joahnnesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Ladysmith & Bredasdorp)
Founded in 1956, The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) is one of South Africa’s longest-standing animal welfare organisations. They prevent animal cruelty & provide shelter & care for neglected & abandoned animals. They also offer veterinary services & public education initiatives.
Their shelter staff work closely with potential adopters, guiding them through the adoption process & offering continued support. They also run sterilisation & vaccination programs to promote better pet health & control stray populations.
Contact AACL via +27 21 534 6426, email them at info@aacl.co.za, or visit their website to learn more about their adoption process. For updates, rescue stories, & upcoming events, follow their social media pages on Facebook & Instagram.
Process & Requirements:
- Visit the AACL shelter to view available dogs or browse their online gallery.
- Complete an adoption application & provide the necessary documents.
- A home inspection is conducted to ensure the property is safe, secure, & suitable for the dog.
- Once approved, adopters can return to finalise the paperwork, pay the adoption fee, & collect their new dog.
- Some cases may require an introduction between existing pets & the adopted animal before approval.
Medical Care & Vaccination Policy:
- All adopted dogs receive core vaccinations, microchipping, & sterilisation.
- AACL provides one initial vaccination &, if applicable, a rabies vaccination for dogs over four months old.
- The adoption fee also covers three weeks of free veterinary treatment, should the pet fall ill after adoption.
Adoption Fee:
- R1 000.
- This covers their first vaccination, deworming & flea treatment, compulsory sterilisation, microchipping, & an ID tag.
Additional Services & Support:
- Educational programs & workshops on responsible pet ownership.
- Public events & fundraisers bring awareness while raising money for animal welfare.
- Volunteer & foster care opportunities are available for animal lovers.
Conclusion
Adopting from a reputable dog shelter not only saves lives but also ensures that dogs find loving homes where they can thrive. Whether you choose the Cape of Good Hope SPCA for its structured support or Oscars Arc Woof Project for a more convenient adoption experience, you can be confident that you’re making a responsible choice.
If you’re not ready to adopt, consider supporting these shelters through donations or volunteering. Every contribution helps improve the lives of rescue animals & brings them one step closer to their forever homes.
Explore MediPet’s pet insurance plans to give your new dog the best possible care. For more adoption guidance, visit our adoption guide.
