In a ground-breaking moment for animal welfare in South Africa, Tracy McQuarrie, founder of BarkingMad and Dogtown SA Rescue Centre at Hartbeespoort, has been named the Woman in Community category winner in the annual Woman of Stature Awards.

Tracy McQuarrie

This marks the first time an animal welfare advocate has received this prestigious award, spotlighting the critical role of animal rescue in community development.
Tracy’s journey into animal welfare began with a simple website and a click-to-feed programme, which has since donated approximately six million food bowls over the past ten years. Her passion for saving more lives led her to leave her job as a video editor to create a sanctuary that has since rehomed over 1 000 dogs and provides individualised care to each canine resident. The Dog Town sanctuary is located on the R511 in Broederstroom.
Dog Town is situated on a scenic farm and offers rehabilitation for misunderstood, so-called “problem” dogs where accredited trainers and behaviourists work with these dogs daily. Tracy feels that Dogtown is the last chance for misunderstood and abused dogs, and with an ‘A Team’ of behaviourists on site every day, there is no such thing as a dog who can’t be homed. The shelter even has a “retirement” village for old dogs.
“This recognition isn’t just about me. It’s about every shelter worker, volunteer, and supporter who believes that animals deserve love, dignity, and a second chance. For years, animal welfare has been sidelined in community development conversations. This award tells us that our work matters,” said Tracy.
Recognising the dual challenges of youth unemployment and the urgent need for skilled animal carers in shelters, Tracy launched an innovative learnership programme that bridges both sectors. After a year of research and consultation with shelters nationwide, she identified a critical skills gap.
She responded by leveraging Dogtown’s license with the internationally accredited Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). The programme trains unemployed school leavers in dog behaviour and care, enabling them to earn a Level 3 diploma while gaining hands-on experience during a six-month placement at Dogtown. Graduates are then placed for an additional six months in partner shelters across the BarkingMad network, where they help uplift standards of care and transfer vital skills. With the pet industry growing rapidly, these trained professionals are positioned to become valuable assets in shelters and the broader animal care sector.
Tracy’s efforts have also gained recognition internationally, receiving the International Training Programme Award at the International Companion Animal Welfare Conference in Cyprus in 2023, recognising their contributions to shelter animal welfare.
The Woman of Stature Awards aim to empower women who have excelled in their respective fields. “I hope that the recognition will open doors to increased support from communities and businesses with growing awareness of the need for funding. My journey in the animal welfare sector is far from over,” Tracy said.
The 2025 Woman of Stature Awards have again highlighted the growing demand for platforms that honour women making a significant impact on society.