The Durban Animal Welfare Network (DAWN) is established to collectively represent the interests of all registered and regulatory-compliant animal welfare entities in KwaZulu-Natal, who are members of the DAWN. The Forum is committed to the following objectives:

• Promoting Animal Welfare: To promote the health and welfare of all animals within KwaZulu-Natal and to condemn, act upon, and report any forms of cruelty and neglect. This includes effective communication with government structures and other relevant authorities within the sector.
• Facilitating Animal Welfare Initiatives: To facilitate animal welfare projects and programs within KwaZulu-Natal.
• Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership: To promote responsible pet ownership through humane educational programs, especially in impoverished communities, and to proactively engage with the public through various media platforms, including social networks.
• Advocating Sterilisation: To promote sterilisation as an effective strategy for preventing neglect and cruelty. All member organisations rehoming or keeping domestic animals must ensure that such animals are sterilised. If the animals are too young for the surgical procedure, sterilisation must be conducted as soon as they reach the appropriate age. Breeding by member organisations is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
• Encouraging Adherence to Standards: To encourage member organisations to adhere to regulated animal welfare standards and treatment protocols, while recognising the specific operational protocols that may apply to certain organisations within their respective sectors.
• Supporting Compliant Organisations: To encourage public and stakeholder support for DAWN member organisations in good standing and discourage support for entities that fail to comply with DAWN's standards and the industry's regulatory requirements, including the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935 and By-Laws relating to animals.
• Collaboration and Accountability: To act responsibly, support animal welfare organisations outside the DAWN's operational region when possible and maintain transparency and accountability to its members and the public.
• Enhancing Public Understanding: To foster public understanding of DAWN's mandate through effective communication tools.
• Building Credibility: To build credibility by disseminating educational and advisory information on animal care and welfare to all residents within KwaZulu-Natal.
• Advocating for Legislative Change: To meet regularly or as necessary and to lobby local and national government structures on matters critical to advancing animal welfare.
• Engaging with the Corporate Sector: To advocate with the corporate sector on matters beneficial to DAWN member organisations.