Dierenopvangcentrum Westland

Founded in 2021, Dierenopvangcentrum Westland is a charity based in s-Gravenzande, Netherlands working on animal welfare, nature & wildlife conservation.

Dierenopvangcentrum Westland (DOCW) is a Dutch animal welfare charity based in s-Gravenzande that takes in and cares for companion animals, stray and wild animals in distress within the municipality of Westland. It runs a shelter with a hedgehog rescue centre and a 24/7 animal ambulance that picks up injured, sick and found animals. It also operates a pet food bank for owners facing financial hardship, runs a TNRC approach for feral cats, rehomes animals without owners, and works with the municipality on the collection of deceased animals from public space. The organisation was founded in 2021 by four local animal welfare organisations and opened its centre in 2025. Its board serves on a voluntary basis, and it is supported by more than 150 volunteers and a small paid staff. It is recognised as an ANBI, so donations and legacies are tax-exempt, and it is an approved training company for vocational students. Donations come from individuals, legacies and the VriendenLoterij. The shelter is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00, while the ambulance operates around the clock for emergencies.