A woman in South Africa has rescued more than 2,500 pugs over the years after she and her husband sold their house, lived in a trailer home for a while and generally reset their lives to help as many dogs in need as they could
Cheryl Gaw, who has rescued over 2,500 pugs in South Africa, shares the joys and challenges of living with the squashed-nosed dogs. Together with her husband, Malcolm, Gaw founded Pug Rescue South Africa in Johannesburg in 2010 after selling their house and dedicating their lives to helping pugs in need. What began as a personal rescue effort became a full-fledged operation to save pugs, many of which were abandoned, sick, or surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them.
The center is currently home to nearly 200 pugs, and their daily routine is packed with care: wake-ups at 5:15 a.m., breakfast, medication, bathtime, playtime, and more. Despite the love and care, the constant challenges of managing the pugs’ health, including costly veterinary bills, are significant. The center’s annual vet costs approach $40,000, and it’s a constant process of rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming.
Gaw explains that the pugs’ short muzzles cause breathing problems and other health issues, which are expensive to treat. She also cautions potential pug owners about the shedding. “They shed an enormous amount of hair,” she says. “You can brush them all day long, they still shed.”
While the operation is demanding, Gaw finds immense satisfaction in helping the dogs, noting that pugs are “clowns of the dog world” and “always in your space.” However, she urges prospective owners to do their homework and consider the long-term care required before adopting a pug.