Animal Welfare Work in Livingstone, Zambia

Zambezi Animal Welfare Services (ZAWS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Livingstone, Zambia.

We work mostly with dogs and cats in a region of significant poverty where understanding of animal rights and animal welfare is low.

We go to very deprived residential areas in Livingstone city and rural villages where access to veterinary services is non-existent, offering free vaccination and treatment for dogs and cats. This is vitally important because this is the best method for prevention of rabies and other diseases, as well as controlling parasites which affect both animals and humans (mostly children).

Many households own dogs but they are more often seen as a tool for security rather than a family pet. Often even owned dogs and cats are left to fend for themselves for food and water. Unwanted puppies and kittens are thrown on rubbish dumps.

We find many owned animals in poor condition. They usually have multiple health issues such as wounds, parasites and mange, and may also have psychological trauma from being beaten or abused by humans.

At ZAWS we take in all the cases that we can - our shelter is always full. We never turn our back on an animal in need. We take in those that are diseased, badly injured, elderly, abused and unwanted. These animals have no other possibility to be helped. Once we bring them to the shelter they are given the treatment they need, with lots of love, reassurance, nourishing food and time to heal. It takes as long as it takes. We will never euthanize an animal that can have a pain-free, good quality of life. You will never see us post that an animal is running out of time. No matter how long it takes to find a home, they will be loved and cared for at ZAWS.

ZAWS also offers a variety of educational programs throughout local communities. We focus on values of respect, compassion, and empathy, which impacts on human and animal interaction. Our goal is to reach out to as many people as possible to increase knowledge on animal welfare and safety awareness in the community at large. We are currently also dealing with human/elephant conflict in our community – every Saturday we play sports with children in our area and educate them on safety around wildlife.

There is no other domestic animal welfare organization in the southern or western part of Zambia, so everything ZAWS does makes a huge impact. We work closely with local government and veterinary services to ensure our impact is meaningful and sustainable.

The work we do is continuous and financially demanding and as a non-profit, non-governmental organization, we operate solely on the generosity of the public.

Your donations will make a significant difference to improve the welfare of both humans and animals in Livingstone and surrounding areas and allow us to cover our shelter’s operating expenses so the doors stay open and the lights stay on.

What can we do with your donation?

To learn more about ZAWS and what we do, visit our website www.zawszambia.org, follow us on Instagram @zawslivingstone and Facebook @ZambeziAnimalWelfareServices

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