In between the rush of deadlines, television and drama editor Tracy McQuarrie started an animal welfare website, one to help shelters rehome their animals. A couple of years later she went one step further, founding a unique shelter.
Near Tracy McQuarrie’s edit suite, a stray dog would pop around each day, looking for leftovers at the fire station across the road. After a lot of running and biltong bribes, she managed to catch her, and took her to a nearby vet. Tracy hung posters around the area, to see if someone was missing their dog.
“At the time, I realised there was no platform where I could post this kind of info. At the time I was also volunteering at various shelters and there was nowhere for them to promote the animals looking for forever homes. So myself and the web developing team jumped in … and the BarkingMad website was created. It’s a platform to help shelters with rehoming, to advertise lost and found animals, and to raise food for shelters and low-income families around the country.”
But Tracy’s passion to help animals didn’t stop there. While watching Dogtown, a show on telly about the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, her mind started to work overtime. Before she knew it, she and her hubby Gregg found themselves on a plane on their way to Utah, attending a workshop on how to start and run an animal sanctuary.
“I intended to gather as much information as possible and bring it back to our local shelters … which is what I did. But I quickly realised that the shelters were already working to capacity. It became clear …if I wanted to create this sanctuary, I needed to do it myself. Best. Decision. Ever.”
Within a few months, Tracy sold her editing studio, took the money and started Dogtown SA … initially in a friend’s garden, later moving to boarding kennels, and finally to its home today, a 50-acre farm. Based on the USA concept, Dogtown SA cares for around 100 misunderstood and abandoned dogs, and a couple of cats. The pooches have spacious gardens and pre-made houses in a layout called Octagons, with Shady Pines Retirement Village for the pensioner dogs and Thunderville for dogs with noise phobias or who are scared of thunder. There’s a dedicated rehabilitation area where accredited trainers and behaviourists work with misunderstood dogs daily, helping them to work through their fears and issues.
“Most of our dogs come from other shelters, some we rescue ourselves. We don’t take in dogs from the public, except if the animal comes in via our behaviourist. When a new furry friend joins us, we do an assessment. Then they go through daily training and an enrichment programme so they can go on to be happy well-adjusted pets.”
Tracy, who can now add internationally qualified dog trainer and animal behaviourist to her skill set, admits that is it very easy to get attached to the dogs and the tears flow freely when they find a forever home.
“But those are happy tears. Many people tend to think that shelter dogs are problem dogs. Actually, most dogs have been great pets their whole life, until their families fell on hard times and couldn’t keep them anymore. I can honestly say that the majority of dogs in the shelter are happy-go-lucky and well-behaved. Gosh, and we learn so much from them. They live in the moment, don’t have preconceived ideas about anyone in front of them and that peanut butter is the best!”
Mom of five dogs, all rescues, Tracy is not missing her nine to five one bit. Just the money, she laughs.
“Now that money would really come in handy at the sanctuary. As a non-profit we’ve come a long way, 13 years to be exact, since starting what was originally just going to be a hobby. And I wouldn’t change a thing. We save and enrich the lives of dogs every day, how rewarding is that? There’s nothing like that first sloppy kiss from a terrified abused dog to know your purpose in life.”
Adopting a rescue dog – 10 steps to success:
- Can you afford a dog? Apart from good quality food, there are other expenses like baskets and bedding, equipment such as a lead and harness and collar, toys and treats as well as grooming. Veterinarian costs also need to be kept in mind – vaccinations, deworming, microchipping (highly recommended). And there are the general and emergency medical expenses. Having a dog sterilised is also expensive but fortunately, most shelters will have this done before homing them.
- Do you have time for your dog? Dogs need both physical and mental stimulation daily to avoid boredom, which is one of the most common reasons behind unwanted behaviours. Destructive chewing and excessive digging in the garden are two of the more frequent of these behaviours and are also a primary reason why many dogs are surrendered to shelters.
- Do your homework. Before adopting a dog you need to research what breed of dog you would like and even more importantly what breed would suit your lifestyle and environment. If you want a dog that will curl up on your lap while you watch TV, then a 75kg St Bernard might not be the wisest choice. Likewise, you need to consider the physical environment – a high-energy working dog may find it difficult to cope in a small confined garden setting.
- Foster before adopting. If you are a first-time dog owner, consider fostering a dog before you commit to adopting. It’s a great way for you to determine if you are ready and able to make that permanent commitment to adopting a dog.
- At the shelter, gather as much information as you can about the dog you may be interested in. Questions regarding the animal’s general health, where he came from, his personality, asking if he is fearful or anxious, how he reacts around unfamiliar people and in particular children and how he reacts to other dogs or cats will give you a better understanding of the dog’s background and needs.
- Dog-proofing your home is essential. Gates, walls and fences need to be jump-proof. Special care needs to be taken regarding storing toxic or poisonous items like garden fertilisers and pool chemicals.
- Introducing your new family member. If you’re adopting a dog into a family where there are existing dogs then a proper introduction is essential. Take the resident dog to the shelter to meet the prospective new addition before bringing it home. Doing this will give a good indication of whether the match is suitable.
- Mealtimes can be mayhem. If you have more than one dog ensure they are fed a suitable distance apart to avoid any potential resource guarding issues. Twice daily feeding is recommended and do not leave food down all day for the dogs to eat.
- Daily enrichment. Taking your dog for a walk or playing games like fetch or hide and seek will help release energy and provide exercise. There are numerous brain toys available on the market designed to give the dog mental stimulation, combined with scent work-type games, which will keep the dog happy and contented.
- Make your dog part of your family. If you lavish him with love and affection he will respond in a like manner and give you years of fun and enjoyment.
How to get involved:
Pop over to dogtownsa.org and barkingmad.co.za – adopt one of the adorable animals looking for a forever home.
Can’t adopt? No problem, sponsor a pet instead.
Click to feed – Each one of your clicks contributes 10 per cent of a bowl of food. You can click up to five times per day. Go, go, go!
Volunteer – Either at Dogtown SA or a shelter near you. Because all the animal needs are love, affection and some exercise.
Buy some merch – From T-shirts, gifts to toys – you’ll be making a difference.
Support fundraising events – Follow @dogtownsa on Facebook and Insta or visit dogtownsa.org to keep up to date with what’s happening.
Dogtown wish list:
- Montego Adult Classic • Tinned food • Peanut butter • Vienna’s • Hosepipes • Rakes
• Spades • Grass for the dog’s gardens • Lavender plants • Harnesses • Blankets
Training your dog not to jump up on you
If your dog already has a solid sit or similar behaviour command, then use that cue when he approaches you or a visitor. So before the dog has the chance to jump up cue him “sit” and immediately reward him when he sits. Rewarding him for obeying will make him more likely to sit next time round when cued to do so. The “sit” has now become more rewarding to him than jumping up.
