NOT Without My Dog: Because Every Loyal Companion Deserves Their Throne

BY TRACY MCQUARRIE

They say a dog’s love is loyal, unwavering, the stuff of legends.

Cats, too, have held royal courts on windowsills for centuries, quietly ruling our hearts with a twitch of the tail. And yet, across South Africa, thousands of these “royal” family members are being forced from their castles, not because their families don’t love them, but because of outdated rules written by people who’ve forgotten what loyalty truly looks like.

Every day, animal shelters are filling up with dogs and cats who once had homes, beds, toys, and people who adored them. Why? Because Body Corporates and retirement complexes are enforcing “no pets allowed” or “one small dog only” rules that make no sense, and worse, have no basis in science or welfare knowledge. These rules don’t protect property values or reduce noise; they only tear families apart. They force heartbroken people to surrender their pets, often their only source of comfort, companionship, and emotional security. And as these rules tighten, shelters across the country are drowning under the weight of animals that shouldn’t even be there.

At BarkingMad, we meet these families every week. Good, kind people who would never give up their dogs or cats, unless they absolutely had to. But with rising cost of living, crime concerns, and limited housing options, many are pushed into complexes that simply don’t allow pets. We believe that no one should ever have to choose between safety and their best friend. Your home should be where your whole family belongs, paws included.

Decades of research show that pets reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even lengthen our lives. Children raised with pets show higher empathy and social confidence. Seniors with companion animals are less likely to suffer from depression or loneliness.

So why are we letting unscientific, outdated regulations dictate who gets to keep their family together? Dogs aren’t just “pets.” They’re heroes, healers, guardians, and best friends. They are descendants of hunters, protectors, and royal companions. From ancient pharaohs to Victorian palaces, dogs have always held a place of honour.

Today, their crowns may be made of fur and slobber, but their loyalty is no less majestic. When they look at us, we are their world. Isn’t it time we showed them the same devotion?

Join the Movement: Not Without My Dog

Barking Mad’s Not Without My Dog initiative is calling on Body Corporates, housing estates, and policy makers to embrace pet-inclusive housing. The demand is enormous, families everywhere are searching for safe, affordable, and pet-friendly homes.

We’re gathering national data and we need your voice. Take our survey. Share your story. Stand with families who refuse to leave their pets behind. Because homes should be built for love, not rules.

Take the survey here: https://notwithoutmydog.co.za/survey/

Together, we can make South Africa a country where every loyal companion, every furry king and queen, stays right where they belong: beside their family.

Thank you for helping us Save More Lives Tracy : https://dogtownsa.org/donate/