Gem Project Sanctuary Sets Goal to Build 100 Kennels for Dogs

Gem Project Sanctuary Sets Goal to Build 100 Kennels for Community Dogs

Photo Credit: Canva

The vision is to distribute 100 kennels to families who love their dogs but lack the resources to provide proper shelter.

Cape Town, South Africa (16 July 2026) – Across the Western Cape, there are thousands of dogs who are loved by their families but still sleep outside without proper shelter. When winter rain arrives or the summer sun beats down, many have little more than a patch of ground to call home.

The Gem Project Sanctuary, a Cape Town-based animal welfare organisation, has started a Community Kennel Project that builds and donates sturdy kennels to families who want the best for their pets but simply can’t afford to provide proper shelter.

The goal is to build and distribute 100 kennels that give dogs somewhere safe, dry and comfortable to rest, while also helping families care for their four-leggeds.

“Our mission has always extended beyond rescue,” says Jarvis. “Real change happens when we work alongside communities, providing practical support that keeps animals safe, healthy and with the people who care for them. A simple kennel can transform a dog’s daily life while supporting responsible ownership.” says founder Juliet Jarvis.

The Gem Project Sanctuary is known for its incredible work in rescuing and caring for neglected and abandoned animals, along with its investment in community outreach, education and initiatives that help prevent animals from ending up in crisis in the first place.

Each kennel is sponsored through donations and built with the help of volunteers and supporters before being delivered to families in need.

The sanctuary, based on 14 hectares in Philadelphia outside Cape Town, is inviting South Africans to be part of the project by sponsoring kennels, donating materials, volunteering their time or simply sharing this great initiative with others.