"We desperately need these kennels as they are so easily accessible and the land is ideal for building large open-air runs in which the dogs can play and exercise," said Cicely Blumberg, founder of DARG.

"Our dream is a centre where dogs can be healed and housed and where difficult dogs can have a permanent home," she said.

They need sponsors and benefactors to achieve this goal and to prevent thousands of dogs getting the death sentence every year.

DARG clears the pounds before dogs are put down and members have rescued dogs who have been nailed to trees; thrown onto freeways; left on rubbish dumps; sodomised; stabbed and left to die.

This small band of dedicated women has saved 1500 dogs from death in just three years.

Homes which rescued animals go to are checked out by home visits and if a dog proves unsuitable it will be rehoused.

"Surprisingly, it's the traumatised dogs which people find the most appealing," Cicely said. "People are very keen to help ill-treated animals."

Anyone who would like to help can send donations to the DARG Standard Bank account at Sea Point (acct no. 071041273) or become a Friend of DARG by making a regular amount available through a stop order to the above account.

"Not one of our dogs has died thanks to the generosity of the public and the press who have helped us," said Cicely.