By Anna McGinn | Project Leader
Adapting Our Approach to Continue Helping Animals in Need
Thank you for your continued support of our project to improve the lives of cats and dogs in rural Eswatini. Your generosity enables us to provide vital veterinary care to animals whose owners would otherwise be unable to afford treatment.
Our original project aimed to sterilize 150 cats and dogs and provide basic veterinary care to at least a further 240 animals from low-income households in rural communities. The plan was to hold regular spay and neuter clinics in rural areas where veterinary teams could carry out sterilizations and provide essential treatment.
However, during 2026, we have had to adapt our approach due to the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease response in Eswatini. Local veterinarians have been heavily involved in government disease-control efforts and have therefore been unable to dedicate the time required for large-scale spay and neuter clinics.
Rather than pause our work, we developed an alternative strategy to ensure that animals in need continue to receive care. Our team now visits vulnerable rural communities directly, identifies animals requiring veterinary assistance, and transports them to our shelter for treatment. Once they have recovered and are healthy enough to travel, we return them to their owners.
This approach has enabled us to continue supporting animals living in some of the country's most disadvantaged communities. High levels of poverty mean that many households struggle to provide adequate food, healthcare, and parasite control for their animals. As a result, preventable diseases, uncontrolled breeding, malnutrition, and high mortality rates remain significant welfare concerns.
Through this project, we are helping to improve the quality of life of cats and dogs by providing essential veterinary care, including treatment for illness and injury, parasite control, nutritional support, and sterilization where possible. By reducing suffering and improving animal health, we are also helping families who depend on these animals for companionship, security, and community wellbeing.
So far in 2026, we have provided care to about 50 dogs and cats. Many of these animals arrived in poor condition and would not have received treatment without your support.
We are deeply grateful to our donors for making this work possible. Despite the challenges created by the Foot and Mouth Disease response, your contributions have allowed us to remain flexible and continue reaching animals in need.
Together, we are creating healthier lives for cats and dogs across rural Eswatini and building stronger, more compassionate communities.
Thank you for standing with us and the animals we serve.
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