As in any fairy tale our story starts with a little girl, Stella was her name and her favourite childhood game was to attach a string to a shoe box and take her “little dog” for a walk. Her love for all things furry was clear from her earliest years as she would shun rewards of sweets and coins for the company of her beloved four legged friend Tauba.
In every tale of this sort there is the required love interest and the story of the blossoming 12 year old Stella is no different, enter the dashing 15 year old Nicholas from next door. A true “Romeo and Juliet” romance ensued albeit without the tragic end, as both sets of parents frowned upon the innocent flirtations of the would be soul mates as they spent their carefree days on the fair streets of Orange Grove (Johannesburg). The pair quickly became united as a vigilante crew rescuing and feeding furry and feathered friends around the neighbourhood.
In 1979 the two animal champions tied the knot. Although money was tight in their early nuptial they had soon accumulated 5 dogs 3 cats… oh, and 3 children. Their open house policy for unfortunate furriessoon led to the adoption of 2 rather large family members,Snork a 200kg pig saved from an abattoir and Wilbur, Snorkspot belly companion. These two happily resided in their new suburban abode, much to the dismay of the neighbours. However soon the pair out grew their lodging and expected size (Snork reached the size and weight of a small car). Always doing right by the animals and realising that it was unfair on the pair of swines, Nic and Stella donated the oinksto a touch farm for children with learning and social development issues.
Once their own children started to reach the point of spreading their wings, the Meldaus were still not content. Soon 5 dogs became 10 then 20 and in no time a vision formed from theirlifelong dream of caring for animals and their growing canine family, thus the birth of Woodrock Animal Rescue. Hesitant at first, Nic and Stella received invaluable encouragement and often pushing from the legendary Dee Tyler and Marlene De Beer.
Since 1999, Woodrock Animal Rescue has rehomed countless animals from the Woodmead area of Sandton. Although aghast at first the community has come to embrace their wacky neighbours with the dogs. Although the rescue can be a bit noisy at times the neighbours have turned a deaf ear to it as the exceptional pro bono work being carried out by Woodrockfar outweighs a little bit of raucous barking. However,Woodrock has now out grown its suburban home a new home was found: a perfect 21 acresmall holding in the Hennops River Valley. They currently own 120 dogs, 10 cats, 11 donkeys, 2 horses geese,ducks,chickens,pigeons and budgies.
Currently kennels are in the final stages of construction on “the farm”. The kennels have all the luxuries one would expect of a 5 star hotel these include air conditioning and heating. At present Nic and Stella also run a recruitment agency (even their day job is helping those in need), but to them their sanctuary is their home and the rescue and “the farm” is the realisation of their lifelong dream. They are pillars of hope and saviours of thousands.
Woodrock Animal Rescue place animals in loving, caring homes. Our goal is to ensure a sustainable lifelong relationship between the new owner and its newly acquired furry friend. Every animal deserves a second chance and thus every effort is made to match the most suitable rescue to the most suitable home, thereby minimising the chances of having to re-home again, if it doesn’t work out.
We are a non - profit, pro - life, rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing facility.
We provide assistance to unfortunate, homeless, abused, neglected, stray, injured, ill, geriatric and unwanted animals that would otherwise have miserable lives and premature deaths. The rescue centre provides food, necessary medical care such as inoculations, vaccinations, sterilizations etc. and preventative medicine including deworming, flea and tick dips etc.
Our mission.
Rescue lost and abandoned animals.
Rehabilitate damaged animals.
Provide safekeeping, food and shelter to rescued animals.
Understand the needs of animals and train existing and new owners on managing and keeping rescued animals.
Make the public aware of the need to adopt rescued animals.
Re – home rescued animals.
Present talks and guidance.
Provide employment and training to less privileged communities.
Maintain after care assistance once rescued animals are re - homed, rehabilitated or fostered.
Invite visitors to South African to take part in animal welfare workshops.
Advocate the importance of inoculations, de-worming and maintaining proper safe facilities.
Catechize the importance of sterilization.
Woodrock believes that each animal deserves a loving, stable "forever home"; for this reason, the re-homing process is extensive.
House checks, background checks and legitimate vet care checks are performed prior to a dog being re-homed.
Puppies that are adopted are only taken if assurances and follow-ups are made regarding sterilization once the puppy comes of age. This is strictly monitored as Woodrock aims at all costs to eliminate the increase in animal breeding when there are so many unwanted animals out there looking for a home.
Woodrock has been facilitating homeless animals for thirteen years. We boast an amazing re - homing hit rate.
Woodrock is involved with the local community and strives to educate the local people and the public, especially children, on the importance of pet sterilization and responsible pet ownership. We also educate local communities on the humane treatment of animals. As a township initiative, Woodrock regularly spays and neuters animals from these communities, supplies shelter and comfort to these animals in the form of dog kennels and blankets, provide inoculation and veterinary services including rabies injections and conducts a regular dipping service.
Nicholas and Estelle, the founders, are extremely focused on their goal and their passion and drive have afforded their vision to become a reality. Woodrock Animal Rescue is a registered non – profit organisation.
Together with an amazing support group, Woodrock have been able to make a difference. Nicholas will go above and beyond the call of duty to save a dog. Estelle is known for her bulldog approach and is unflinchingly uncompromising when faced with an animal in need.
Woodrock’s animals have the benefit of an above average rescue centre environment. The animals enjoy a “home to home” opportunity as they are in large free range runs and not confined as in a normal “shelter” situation. Each rescue receives personal attention, touch and love. This promotes the rehabilitation and healing process so that successful re -homing can suffice in the shortest turn around time possible thereby creating space for the next rescue.
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