The phones never stop ringing, and the kennels are full, but for Jade Lee Ashford, there is always room for one more heartbeat and a second chance at life.
Botha’s Hill, South Africa (23 April 2026) – In the lush, small town of Botha’s Hill just outside Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal, there is a woman whose life’s purpose is to provide love, veterinary care, and a safe haven for dogs and puppies that would otherwise face very bleak lives.
Jade Lee Ashford is the founder of Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming, a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming adult dogs and puppies that have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, or are unwanted.
Since 2015, Jade has rehomed over 6,000 dogs and puppies – and her work shows no sign of slowing down. If anything, the calls for help never stop, and neither does the need.
“We’ve been trying so hard to reduce our numbers. Trying to create space. Trying to bring our vet bills down to something more manageable. But despite our best efforts, the number of dogs needing help has escalated and the calls just don’t stop,” Jade says.
For every dog she and her team manage to take in, they turn away dozens more.
“Dogs that are abandoned, hungry, scared, and with nowhere else to go. It’s one of the hardest parts of rescue, knowing we simply don’t have the space or funds to help them all.”
In just the past two weeks, she has taken in doggos Harvey, Hanna, Matty and Hope. Each one was found abandoned and trying to survive on the streets.
Found frail and emaciated, Harvey arrived first, covered in cattle ticks, with sores across his body. Blood tests confirmed Ehrlichia, and it was clear he had been struggling for some time.
“Despite everything, he is gentle and trusting — as though he’s just been waiting for someone to finally care,” Jade says.
Then came Hanna, a senior girl who clearly hasn’t had an easy life. She has no front teeth, and the few she does have are broken and worn down. She was covered in ticks and terrified of anyone who came near her.
“Every time a hand was lifted, she cowered. It’s heartbreaking to see a dog in her golden years so fearful, when she should be safe and loved.”
Matty followed shortly after. Skinny and undernourished, also with no front teeth, and too frail to be sterilised or vaccinated until he gains weight.
“But despite everything he’s been through, Matty is incredibly sweet. He leans into affection, grateful for kindness, and already showing just how much love he has to give.”
Hope’s story is another sad reminder of how many dogs are simply trying to survive.
“We received a call about concerned neighbours who noticed her and began feeding her. Her teats were large and full of milk, and they were convinced she had puppies somewhere nearby. They placed a tracker on her and followed her for four days, hoping she would lead them to her babies, but no puppies were ever found. Hope is friendly and happy, her tail constantly wagging, but her body shows the signs of years spent fending for herself on the streets.”
Just as the Paw Prints team were settling these four in, they received another call on Sunday. Puppies had been spotted just up the road from their centre.
“Our team went out and found two pups on the road, and nearby, a maize meal sack with four more inside. Six tiny and skinny puppies, abandoned. For the first two days, all they did was eat and sleep. Their little bodies exhausted and hungry, and tummies full of worms.”
The moment these dogs and pups come in, they are treated for parasites, given a bath, and put onto suitable, wholesome food. They are taken to the vet for health checks and vaccinations, and once healthy enough, they are sterilised. After their vet visit, they are kept in quarantine for a week to ensure no viruses or health issues arise.“Our Quarantine is bursting right now. Each one of these dogs will cost us between R2,000 and R4,000 before we can even consider putting them up for adoption.”
Jade is desperately trying to bring the centre’s vet bills down. But when dogs like Harvey, Hanna, Matty, Hope, and six tiny puppies need help, it becomes impossible to say no. And still, the calls keep coming.
Paw Prints is situated at 4 Clement Stott Road, Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal. To learn more about how you can support this amazing animal welfare charity, visit the website, Facebook page or email talktous@pawprints.org.za
Sources: Jade Lee Ashford
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