Stray Paws Animal Rescue and Welfare (NPO-325-226 | PBO 930087105) is a registered non-profit and public benefit organization founded in November 2019 by Shabnam Baran, who studied Animal Psychology – Think Behaviour in animals. She is also an animal rights activist committed to improving the welfare of animals across South Africa.
Our mission is simple yet powerful — to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect neglected, orphaned, sick, abandoned, and abused animals across Durban and surrounding areas, particularly within the impoverished townships.
We are dedicated to giving vulnerable animals a second chance at life through rescue, medical care, rehabilitation, and rehoming initiatives, ensuring every animal experiences love, safety, and dignity.
Stray Paws Animal Rescue and Welfare is a non-profit organization (NPO-325-226) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930087105) established in 2019. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect neglected, orphaned, sick, abandoned, and abused animals across Durban and surrounding areas. Every day, we provide food for up to 300 dogs and 130 cats — a lifeline for many who would otherwise go hungry. During the cold winter months of 2025, we’ve also provided kennels and warm blankets to over 180 dogs, offering comfort and safety when they need it most. Beyond rescue and care, we give hope to the forgotten animals of Durban’s townships, showing that compassion can change lives. We also welcome individuals who wish to see our work firsthand through guided tours, giving them the opportunity to witness our operations and become part of the mission to create lasting change.
The majority of the animals we help come from low-income areas including Welbedacht Township near Chatsworth, Umlazi Township, and Kwa-Dabeka near Phoenix. We also regularly respond to emergency rescues across greater Durban, ensuring no animal is left to suffer alone.
Education is another cornerstone of our work. Through our Township Animal Education Programs, we aim to teach responsible pet ownership and promote awareness about animal welfare. We engage with pet owners and the broader community, helping them understand the importance of proper care, empathy, and long-term commitment to their animals.
One of our most impactful initiatives is our sterilization program. We bring fully equipped mobile clinics directly into township areas and conduct mass sterilization drives. These clinics are capable of sterilizing up to 150 animals in three days, helping to reduce the overwhelming number of stray and suffering animals. These efforts are made possible through the support of key partners such as The National Sterilization Project, Cats of Durban, From Tassie with Love, Project Dog, and numerous generous individuals who support our mission.
Stray Paws SA is built on compassion, driven by action, and sustained by those who believe in change. Whether you’re an individual donor, a business, or someone who simply cares, your support can help us continue giving hope to the forgotten animals of Durban. Together, we can make a real, lasting difference—one paw at a time.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition • Sewa International • Vetcare Animal Clinic • Montego • Project Dog • PawPrints Animal Rescue and Rehoming • Purina • The Robin Hood Foundation • The Heart Hospital • New Germany Sai Centre
