If you’ve ever wanted to meet the people dedicating their lives to saving greyhounds, donkeys, parrots, rats, pigs, and big cats – your Sunday plans just sorted themselves out!
Johannesburg, South Africa (02 April 2026) – The Rescue Expo is back, and this time it’s bigger than ever before! The first of its kind Autumn Edition lands at Bryanston Market on Sunday 19 April 2026 from 9am to 3pm.
It’s one of the most feel-good days Jozi has to offer.
It all started in 2022 with three animal advocates and a good idea. Fast forward to October 2025, and the fourth annual Rescue Expo pulled in 2500 visitors, hosted 60 vetted rescue and rehabilitation organisations, and distributed a whopping 3000kg of donated pet food.
In 2026, the expo is running twice as the Autumn Edition in April, and a Spring Edition in September. Two chances to show up for the animals!
It’s not just about the heroes who rescue dogs and cats (although yes, there are many of those too) it represents the full picture of animal welfare in Gauteng. This year’s participating organisations include donkey sanctuaries, parrot and cockatiel rescues, rat and rodent welfare organisations, pig havens, therapy dog programmes, wildlife rehabilitation, and big cat conservation!
“If there’s an animal in South Africa, there’s someone quietly giving their life to protect it and the Expo is where you get to meet them.”
The expo is where you finally get to meet them face to face. Some of the incredible organisations attending this month include Greyhound Welfare SA, Pigs ‘n Paws, Rat Angels, Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary, The Lions Foundation, Brainy Birds, ARC Rabbit Assist, and dozens more.
South Africa’s animal rescue sector runs almost entirely without government funding. Most organisations survive on donations, WhatsApp appeals, and the personal savings of their founders. Abandonment and backyard breeding mean shelters are operating at chronic capacity. The Rescue Expo exists to help break that cycle by connecting rescues with adopters, donors, and each other, and giving the public a window into a world of animal welfare most people never get to see.
Behind it all is The Rescue Collective, founded by Dean Bush (Greyhound Welfare SA), Jennifer Gerner (former vet nurse for CLAW), and Cheryl Hunter (three decades in animal welfare). They started the Collective because they kept seeing NPOs working in isolation, too stretched to even find each other let alone the public who wanted to help.
This year’s event will include rescue and rehabilitation organisations covering every species, pet product suppliers, adoption opportunities for animals looking for forever homes, food stalls, and fundraising merch supporting individual rescue groups. And it’s also pet-friendly, so leash up your well-socialised dog and bring them along!
When? Sunday 19 April 2026
What time? 9:00am – 3:00pm
Where? Bryanston Market, 40 Culross Road, Bryanston
Tickets? R50 per adult | Children free | Leashed dogs welcome
Find The Rescue Collective SA on Facebook for more.
This is one of those days where you leave feeling hopeful about humanity. Don’t miss it!
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