It is common for continuously-chained dogs to endure physical ailments. In place of proper, well-fitting collars, these dogs are tied up with wire, rope, gut, nylon, string, heavy chains – whatever is handy. Their necks become raw and covered with sores, the result of inappropriate collar-substitutes and their constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. There have been many cases where a collar has become embedded in a dog’s neck, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain. The wounds can become septic and riddled with maggots. Sometimes the chain is placed around a young pup and is not adjusted as the pup grows, so that the chain is left to literally grow into the neck.

This is a massive problem, particularly in the townships where informal homes have no enclosed yards, leading to the animals being chained. Isolated in backyards on chains as short as a few meters, these innocent animals are forced to endure the elements, attacks by other animals and people and, perhaps worst of all, solitary confinement. Chained dogs rarely receive sufficient care and are often ignored by their owners; they become part of the scenery and may suffer from sporadic feedings and overturned water bowls, and are left to suffer extreme weather, heat and cold. Their limited area becomes the only place they have to eat, sleep, urinate and defecate; their sad, small world.

Our mission with the Unchain the Dog Project is to:

• Raise money to create a fenced area, so that the dog can be taken off the chain
• Provide support to and educate the community as to why chaining is not acceptable — and ultimately dangerous — and raise awareness of the physical, mental and emotional of dogs

It is a requirement of the KAWS Kennel Project that the owner of a chained dog will work with KAWS to release the dog from the chain by becoming part of the Unchain the Dog Project.  As is the case with the KAWS Kennel Project, the donations, help and assistance of caring members of the public are vital. We accept monetary donations or fencing materials that can be used to erect fences around properties in order to secure the dogs, thereby getting them off their chains. KAWS works with such owners to educate them on why it is cruel to keep a dog on a chain and will assist with the erection of the fence.