What are the opening hours?

Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday 08:00 - 11:00

Dassenberg Horse and Dog Rescue Centre

Home
South Africa
Atlantis
Dassenberg Horse and Dog Rescue Centre

Call Directions Website

At Dassenberg Rescue Centre, we express our love in simple actions, rather than big words. When an animal first steps onto our farm, they move into a new life.

We rescue, rehabilitate and re-house neglected horses and dogs, and help them transition from neglected to loved, from sad to happy, from desperate to hopeful. We rescue, rehabilitate and re-house neglected horses and dogs, and help them transition from neglected to loved, from sad to happy, from desperate to hopeful – and even beautiful. We fight against animal abuse, specializing in before and after stories – stories that revolve around the efforts of incredible people, animal people.

06/11/2026

Our Friday update comes with a very important road safety announcement from the new Dassenberg Horse and Dog Rescue Centre farm:

⚠❗Watch out for the local speed limit enforcers!

While conducting meetings, our General Manager hit a bit of traffic on the sandy road between the main house and the main road. The culprit? Not the thick sand... but three separate traffic stops for tortoises claiming right-of-way! 🚦

Watch this little traveler make a grand, step-by-step trek from the right side of the road, straight across the middle, and safely into the bushes on the left. 🐢🌾

Driving slowly on our new home isn't just about keeping your tires from swerving in the sand—it’s about sharing the road with our resident buck, birds, and slow-pacing tortoises. Out here, nature always gets the right-of-way!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, and remember to take life at a tortoise’s pace! 💛

05/11/2026

Every dog that arrives at Dassenberg Rescue Centre carries a unique story in their heart.

Some come to us riding sh***un on a motorbike after being scooped up from dangerous highway traffic. Others arrive after spending lonely days tied to a tree. Many come to our farm simply because life got tough.

No matter where they come from or how they get here, one thing never changes: the moment they step onto the farm, they have a safe place to land, heal, and learn to trust again.

Some of our residents are so tiny we weigh them on a kitchen scale. Others are energetic teenagers full of play, and some are gentle seniors who have been with us for years. As a pro-life sanctuary, we will patiently wait as long as it takes to find the perfect forever home for every single soul in our care.

Finding that forever home is our ultimate goal. But we can only make these happy endings possible with your help. Here is how you can support our dogs today:

🐾 Adopt: Whether you are looking for a playful puppy, an energetic teenager, or a wise senior, we are ready to help you find your perfect partner! If you would like to arrange a visit to meet our dogs, please contact Sonja at 072 057 7717 or Annaline at 077 415 3894.

🐾 Share: If your own home is already full of love, you can still save a life today! Please tell your friends, family, and colleagues about our work, and share our posts so our dogs can be seen by their future families.

🐾 Donate: Caring for our pack while they wait for their forever homes takes immense resources. If you cannot adopt, please consider supporting our Tick 'n Flea Fund to keep our dogs healthy, safe, and parasite-free.

Ways to help:

Online: Donate directly to our fund at BackaBuddy
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/dassenberg-tick-flea-and-parasite-control-fund
Direct EFT:

Bank: ABSA
Account Number: 4100624491
Branch Code: 632005
Reference: Your Name & Donation

Thank you for being part of our rescue family and helping us write the next chapter for these deserving dogs. ❤️

04/11/2026

🌟 Big news at Dassenberg Rescue Centre! Our horses are getting ready for their close-up! 📸🐴✨

We are thrilled to announce that this coming Saturday, Earth Apparel will be hosting a photoshoot right here on our farm! Their models will be showing off beautiful, sustainable pieces made from natural fabrics like cotton and linen—and our very own rescued horses will be starring right alongside them. 🌿👗

This is an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on our rescue mission, reach new followers, and connect with potential partners! To make sure our equine stars put their best hoof forward, we're giving them the full VIP pampering treatment:

🦶 Step 1: Done! Our fantastic Farrier, Adam, gave all the horses a fresh pedicure a few days ago!

✨ Step 2: Now it’s our turn to get their coats shining bright and work all the kinks out of their manes and tails!

We are putting out a call for volunteers to join us for two quick grooming sessions:

🗓 When: This Friday & Saturday
⏰ Time: 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM

📍 Where: Dassenberg Rescue Centre

✨ Task: Brushing coats, untangling manes and tails, and giving our rescue crew some extra pampering!

Whether you're a long-time supporter or a first-time volunteer, come lend a hand, enjoy the farm air, and help us get camera-ready!

📩 Want to help? Send us a DM or drop a comment below so we know how many grooming brushes to prepare!

04/11/2026

Rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals is our heart and soul, but life on the farm as an NPO also comes with a lot of daily maintenance, gardening, and paperwork! Every single rescue story, medical update, and adoption record needs to be documented, captured, and preserved. 📝🐾

A huge THANK YOU to Stelburg Wealth for helping us keep our admin running smoothly! Their generous donation of printing paper, laminating pouches, scissors, staples, and more, means we won't have to worry about stationery for the next few months.

Having our office taken care of allows us to keep our focus right where it belongs—on the animals and the farm. 💙🐴🐶

02/11/2026

Meet Thor — Your Gentle, Loyal Shadow 👑❤️

If you are looking for a dog who will truly devote his entire heart to you, meet Thor. We recently spent some time taking photos of this handsome boy, and he completely stole our hearts with his incredibly calm, loving demeanor.

Thor is the kind of companion who wants to be by your side every single step of the way. He doesn't need to be the center of a chaotic room; he just wants to be near you. He is perfectly content sitting quietly next to your chair, curling up right at your feet, or softly rolling onto his back to beg for a well-deserved belly rub.

What we learned about Thor during his photoshoot:

A Total Camera Natural: Thor absolutely loves attention! He was a dream to photograph, happily posing and soaking up the spotlight before wandering off to gently sniff and explore the world around him.

The Perfect Balance: While he loves playtime and endless cuddles, Thor is incredibly self-aware. When he’s had his fill of excitement, he will calmly seek out a quiet spot to rest and recharge.

His Safe Space: Thor has a very clear preference for the female gender—both human and canine! He adores gentle female dogs, thrives in the company of smaller pups, and immediately connects with women.

A Sensitive Soul: Every now and then, Thor might take a step back when a man approaches. He is a sensitive boy whose trust is a precious gift, but as our photographer experienced firsthand, once he feels safe, his love is boundless.

Thor is a kind, soulful boy who just wants a peaceful environment where he can continue to build his confidence. If you can provide a gentle home, Thor will reward you with a lifetime of quiet loyalty and devotion.

📍 Location: Between Philadelphia and Atlantis, Cape Town, Western Cape
💌 To meet Thor, contact: Sonja at 072 057 7717

31/10/2026

Your New Best Friend Awaits! Weekly Dog Adoption Day!

Get ready to fall in love! De Werf Farmstall hosts a weekly Dog Adoption Day, bringing you a fantastic lineup of adoptable pups! We've got everything from energetic puppies to gentle senior dogs, and personalities ranging from happy-go-lucky couch potatoes to adventurous spirits ready for anything. Seriously, there's a dog for every personality!

Don't see your ideal companion on adoption day? No problem at all! You're welcome to schedule a visit to the farm and get to know our full pack of 50 amazing dogs. Come on down and find your perfect match!

30/10/2026

Things are moving fast at Touchwood Farm! Our brand-new Puppy Nursery is up, and we couldn't be more excited. A fresh coat of paint, some sweet greenery, and warm, cozy touches will soon transform this space into a safe, comforting haven for the next mom and pups we bring into our care.

Because rescue litters need round-the-clock monitoring, we built the nursery right next to our Kennel Manager’s cottage—ensuring 24/7 love, care, and quick check-ins whenever they need us! ❤️

What’s next on the build schedule?
We’re laying the ground for our 3 dedicated quarantine kennels!

Meanwhile, our team is still hard at work out in the fields clearing and cleaning firebreaks. We knew there was plenty to do, but we completely underestimated just how much dense vegetation and trees needed clearing! It’s tough physical work, but seeing progress every single day makes every bit of sweat worth it.

Every brick laid and every branch cleared brings us one step closer to bringing all our animals home! Thank you for walking this journey with us. 🚜🌱🐶

30/10/2026

SHABA HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME! 🐾❤️🛋️

From wandering the streets after losing his beloved human mom, to stealing every heart at Dassenberg… Shaba’s story is the true definition of patience, and love.

When Shaba first arrived on 12 February 2025, he carried the weight of a tough life and the heartbreak of loss. But despite everything he’d been through, this gentle, quiet soul showed us nothing but pure gratitude. He quickly became a beloved fixture in the Lapa, greeting every visitor with his trademark snuffle, a wagging tail, and a warm heart.

Of course, no Shaba story is complete without mentioning his absolute favourite thing in the world: the couch. Shaba made the Lapa couch his personal throne—and he firmly insisted on eating his meals there, especially when energetic puppies came over for a social visit and tried to steal his spotlight!

Yesterday, 29 October, the big day finally arrived. Annaline had to give him a gentle nudge and extra encouragement just to walk to the front gate—it was as if Shaba couldn’t quite believe he was leaving the safety of his Lapa family.

But the moment he arrived at his new home, trotted inside, and took a good sniff around… he saw IT. A beautiful, soft couch, made just for him. Shaba hopped right up, curled up, and instantly knew: he was home. No sharing required! 🛋️✨

Shaba, you fought through tick bite fever, heartbreak, and hard days to get here. You deserve every ounce of comfort, peace, and love in your golden years.

To Shaba’s new family: thank you for giving this special boy the happy ending he prayed for. And to Shaba: enjoy your couch, sweet boy. You earned it.

Please join us in wishing Shaba the happiest life in the comments below! 👇❤️

29/10/2026

When the physio session hits just right… 😴🐴✨

Jade from Optimal Veterinary Physiotherapy paid us a visit to work on four of our horses, and Moniet definitely gave her a 10/10 review.

To show her full appreciation, Moniet decided a full lie-down was required before heading back out to the field.

Moments of pure trust and relaxation like this make every single day worth it. 🌱✨
Thank you, Jade for taking such good care of our horses.
We agree with Moniet. 10/10 !

27/10/2026

Survival in animal rescue takes a village—and we are so grateful for ours! 🐾❤️

Networking, partnerships, and true collaboration play a massive role in Dassenberg’s success and survival. As a non-profit animal rescue, donations and financial support are literally what keep our gates open and our feed room stocked every single day.

A massive THANK YOU to Paws a While for their endless dedication, for spreading the word on behalf of all their rescue partners, and for generously sharing donations when they come in. We are so grateful for the recent donation of Pedigree Wet Dog Food Sachets you made available to us—our rescue pups are absolute fans of these delicious mealtime toppers! 🐶✨

Address

R304 Between Altantis And Melkbosstrand
Atlantis

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	08:00 - 11:00

Telephone

+27720577717

Website

https://linktr.ee/dassenberg_rescue

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dassenberg Horse and Dog Rescue Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.