Ark Walk Park is a 23 acre picturesque dog and family friendly walk park just 5 minutes from Dainfern/Fourways. Offering a fully enclosed kids playground, 2,5km trail running track and our 2 amazing Enclosed Areas for anxious or anti-social dogs.

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Our History: The End of an Era - Ark Animal Centre.

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Ark Animal Centre opened it’s doors 9 years ago. Together with my daughters, Candice, Kristy and Cara, these years have taken us on an adventure we never, ever could have imagined back then. Ark had humble beginnings, we started in our garage and slowly built it into a wonderful centre where we helped rehabilitate and rehome 1000’s of dogs and puppies, built up a sterilisation clinic, charity shop, tuck shop, facilitated too many to count community students doing their service, worked with the most amazing volunteers and fosterers and met fantastic families who adopted our pups and gave them such amazing lives.

 

Our vets, especially Palm Gardens Vet, Elena, Philippe, Christine and the team, who have been there for us through thick and thin. The Fourways Review team has been there since the beginning. We have had so many wonderful people who have supported us in so many ways from financial assistance, donations, hard work, social media posts, there is so much people have done for us over the years, it is incredible. Without all these people, there is no ways Ark would have been able to have achieved what it did.

 

During a three year period I was blessed with 3 Son-in-laws and 6 wonderful Grandchildren. Ark was expanding at a rapid rate and our family team was rapidly reducing. I tried to run everything on my own, it has been a rollercoaster ride of extremes and I have decided that 12 years in welfare is my limit, some balance is now needed. With the outbreak of Covid19, our resources have been depleted, I am getting older, my energy is not what it used to be, and it is time to spend time with my Grandkids.

 

As you can imagine, this was not an easy decision to make, for 9 years I lived and breathed Ark, it felt like I was giving up a part of my soul. With this decision made, I asked myself who would I be happy with if I had no other option but to rehome one of my dogs, and the only welfare I thought of was Woodrock Animal Rescue. I have always admired how Woodrock operates, their dedication to animals and their passion.I approached Nic and Estelle and without hesitation they agreed to take over Ark’s ethos, the last 4 puppies left at Ark, as well as any dogs who may possibly be returned in years to come, and to support us through this hard decision.

 

My heart was breaking for all the future pups that were never going to come through our doors, but Woodrock have supported me through this process making it so much easier, knowing that Moms and pups will still have a loving, caring and professional facility to go too. This is a huge undertaking from Woodrock and I plead with all our supporters to please move your support to them. Whatever support you can give them will be much appreciated by us. If our My School supporters could change their beneficiary to Woodrock too, as this is such a great way to bring in much needed funds.

 

As I stated once before, welfare is like the mafia, once you are in it, you’re in it for life! My heart will always be with welfare and I will support homeless animals forever, but not on the front lines anymore. We will be fully behind Woodrock. All movable assets of Ark will be offered to Woodrock. Thereafter, other shelters will be invited to take anything of use to them.The adult dogs who have been at Ark for extended periods, I have taken on as my own. I now have 14 new dogs who are delighted to have eventually found their forever home. Through them I will still have a little bit of Ark with me.

 

It is with much sadness that this chapter in my life has ended. It has been the hardest period in my life, but also the most rewarding. I will forever be grateful for the accelerated personal growth I have encountered through these years, lessons I have learnt, people I have met from all walks of life, life and death, ups and downs, successes and failures, euphoria and exhaustion. My favorite personal saying is “This too shall pass” and Ark Animal Centre’s time has passed. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all. 

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Tracy