Ark Animal Centre, the Fourways-based puppy rescue shelter is moving to new premises after securing a large property better suited to the activities of the centre.
Tracy Otto and her two daughters, Candice and Cara, started Ark in 2011. It is the fastest growing puppy rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing shelter with a passion for animals that has been nurtured over many years. That passion has outgrown the current premises, so a plan was put in place to expand and develop the centre. This plan required a new beginning on new premises.
Founders of Ark Animal Centre Tracy and Cara Otto. *Candice not pictured.
The process began quietly in the background since early last year. While the shelter continued to operate as normal, the new property was identified and plans were put into place to purchase it for the relocation of the centre.
The new property consists of 23 acres in a park like setting on the Millgate farm not even 10 minutes from Fourways. This was a huge undertaking that was finalised on the 1st of February 2013.
The money required was impossible to generate from the charitable activities and fundraising Ark has been involved in, as these funds are used for the welfare and operation of the centre.
So without much delay, Tracy spoke to her husband Alan, and they decided to put their house on the market in order to raise the funds needed to purchase the new property.
“If all goes according to plan, the shelter will be moving in mid-April however, it is going to need a lot of work beforehand,” explains Tracy. “There is a lot of behind the scenes work to be done for the shelter to be ready for us to move the animals in our care to the new facility.”
Ark’s long-term goal is to provide a centre that is self-sustainable. So it can continue to grow and provide a place for all animal lovers to become stakeholders in providing much needed help and care for puppies until they find a new home. To achieve this, any help in the areas listed below will be gratefully appreciated!
Ark’s aim is to provide the most enjoyable experience for visitors and animals alike by changing the perception of welfare. By raising the bar for your welfare experience, and looks forward to providing this for the surrounding areas.
Tracy and her family are calling on the community to get involved and become a part of the greater ‘Ark family.’ She explains: “Our ultimate goal is to build an animal shelter and homing facility of which Fourways can be very proud, by giving a second chance to the hundreds of innocent animals we look after.”
Facts:
23 acres of property situated just up Cedar road in Fourways, JHB.
2 pigs and about 50 rescued puppies, pregnant mom’s and dogs need to be transported to new kennels
At least 18 kennels need to be built and two pig sties.
Security is the main priority then the dog kennels
What Ark needs:
- Security fencing
- Fencing & gates for dog kennels
- Bricks
- Tiles
- Cement
- Building sand
- Labour
- Drainage eg: drainage pipes and septic tank (most important)
- Gates for entrance
- Paint
- Grass
- Heating panels
- Plumbing and electrics
Alternatively you can donate:
Ark Animal Centre
FNB Cheque Account
Account: 62335841301
Branch: Broadacres
Code: 204809
SWIFT code: TIRNZAJJ
Every bit is very appreciated!
Click here to view what the shelter achieved in 2012 and their plans for the future!
For more information contact Tracy 082 334 7596 / tracy@arkanimalcentre.co.za or Candice 082 460 2816 / candice@arkanimalcentre.co.za
www.arkanimalcentre.co.za
Ark Animal Centre 