Home Species We Protect Painted Dogs Adopt a Painted Dog

Why adoption is so important

Painted dogs are one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with as few as 6,000 left in the wild. Once widespread across much of the African continent, their range has been reduced to a few, small, final strongholds in southern and eastern Africa. These carnivores play an important role in providing balance in the ecosystem and fortifying prey populations. As painted dog numbers continue to rapidly decline, the delicately balanced ecosystems they inhabit are thrown into disarray.

Painted dogs often fall victim to human-wildlife conflict. Often blamed for livestock attacks by hyenas, leopards, and other predators, many are poisoned or shot by farmers, looking to protect their livelihoods.

Habitat loss is one of the biggest factors affecting painted dogs. And, with only pockets of their former population surviving, painted dogs also become highly vulnerable to diseases like rabies and distemper.

When you adopt a painted dog through DSWF, you equip the rangers we support and fund with everything they need to patrol these protected areas, rescue snared animals, and act as a deterrent to poachers and hunters.

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
£3 per month

Just £3 per month (or £36 one-off) could provide vital equipment for those working on the frontline to prevent wildlife crime

Painted Dog - Painted Dog Conservation
£5 per month

Only £5 per month (or £47 one-off) could educate future generations on why a connection to nature is vital, and inspire the conservation leaders of tomorrow

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
£10 per month

With £10 per month (or £60 one-off) will enable patrols to remove more snares that kill and injure critically endangered painted dogs

DSWF Painted Dog Adoption Pack

What’s included?

A Personalised Adoption Pack 

You’ll get a personalised certificate, species fact sheet, animal bio sheet, and a photograph. In addition we will send you bi-annual updates on our conservation work with your chosen species.

Wildlife Matters Magazine 

DSWF’s magazine, bringing you conservation news and updates on our work to fight wildlife crime and protect endangered species.

Painted Dog Print

A beautiful depiction of a painted dog by wildlife artist Matthew Polluk

Physical adoption packs are only available within the UK (Digital packs are available internationally).  Parcels are sent 2nd class untracked with Royal Mail.

More than a toy.

Our adoption animal toys are made by the ladies of the Little Ndaba group in Zambia. They are ethically sourced 100% African cotton and are crocheted by over 100 women from remote villages across the country.

How Painted Dog Adoption Helps

Sponsoring a painted dog helps fund projects working with local communities to monitor their movements, reduce poaching, and raise awareness of the threats they face. In addition, your support can help us:

  • Fight wildlife crime by keeping anti-poaching teams in the field and funding law enforcement programmes in Zimbabwe
  • Protect painted dogs through regular patrols to remove snares and ward off potential poachers
  • Engage school children in our immersive bush camps, inspiring a whole new generation of wildlife warriors
Artwork by Matthew Polluk
Painted dog sketch, art

You can support our work to save endangered animals from extinction by adopting today.

How you can help these species in need of funding
40
%

of the world’s wildlife has been wiped out in the last 50 years.

1
m

species of plants, insects, and mammals are at risk of extinction.

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