In the township of Diepsloot, where many may turn a blind eye, Mary Kwembu stands out, dedicating her life to rescuing and caring for the most vulnerable dogs in need of a loving home.
Diepsloot, South Africa (29 October 2025) – The forgotten dogs of Diepsloot have a refuge with a heart that beats loud.
Mary Kwembu, founder of All-in-One Animal Rescue, has dedicated her life to saving abandoned, injured, and hungry dogs, all without any government support.
Those who know her best have witnessed how Mary opens her small shelter to new arrivals every day.
With more and more strays and rescues entering her doors, Mary finds herself overwhelmed with the growing need to provide and care for these precious creatures. But she can’t do it alone
Every so often, she puts out appeals for donations on her social media pages, and recently, friend and supporter, Caitlin Morris, launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to rally more support to keep her mission alive.
Caitlin describes Mary as a lifeline for animals who have no one else.
“The space is humble – female dogs in one open area, males in another – but it’s filled with care and second chances. When it rains, Mary rushes to cover them with what she has. When food runs out, she takes a taxi into town to sell donated clothes just to buy more dog food,” shares Caitlin.
All-in-One Animal Rescue now cares for dozens of dogs that rely on Mary for food, shelter, and safety. As the name of the shelter suggests, Mary ensures the dogs are fed, clean, vaccinated, sterilised, and rehomed and is currently working towards building safe kennel enclosures so that the dogs don’t interfere with the neighbours.
But she can’t do it alone.
Funds raised through the campaign will help provide:
- Dog food and clean drinking water
- Vaccines, sterilisation, and basic vet care
- Mesh wire, steel poles, and kennels for safe enclosures
- Warm blankets and bedding for rainy days
“Even R100 helps feed a dog for a week. Every contribution, big or small, helps Mary keep her doors open and her rescues safe,” adds Caitlin.
To help Mary give these animals the life they deserve: safe, cared for, and loved, visit the BackaBuddy page here.
Sources: BackaBuddy | All-in-One Animal Rescue
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 