How you're helping cats & dogs at Uganda SPCA

Animal-Kind International

1 day ago

My return flight to the US from Congo (where I had been working on a USAID conservation project, separate from AKI) stopped in Entebbe, so I had a chance to visit our Partner Organization Uganda Society for the Protection & Care of Animals. I was happy to see the many ways that AKI support is helping the cats and dogs at the Uganda SPCA, but I discovered that so much more is needed!

How your support is helping cats & dogs at the Uganda SPCA now

Once I arrived, we quickly, we took care of some of the most important issues:

The new shelter: I met with members of the USPCA Executive Committee to discuss the way forward while we await National Environmental Management Authority approval to continue construction and get permission to move the remaining ~300 cats and dogs to the new site. The USPCA Chairman will meet with the NEMA Executive Director to discuss the status of our request.

Three wooden dog houses and four dogs at the Uganda SPCA shelter. — The new shelter, where around 50 lucky dogs and puppies are living while we await the environmental permit

Cattery: The tin roof of the cattery had many leaks, and since it was rainy season when I arrived, I could see for myself that the roof needed major repairs. We didn't realize how major though until the carpenter assessed the damage. We had to replace all the tin roof sheets, and I agreed that Animal-Kind International would cover the cost to keep the kitties warm, dry, and comfortable.

Many cats inside a large cat kennel at the Uganda SPCA shelter. — To keep the cats dry, warm, and happy, all the metal sheets of the cattery roof were replaced

Rabies prevention for USPCA staff: It had been over a year since we had paid for the previous rabies vaccinations for the staff and it was time to be vaccinated again. We covered the cost to keep the USPCA staff safe.

A woman sitting on a hospital bed rolling up her sleeve to be vaccinated by another woman in Uganda. — To keep them safe, all USPCA staff received rabies prevention jabs. In this photo, it's Mary's turn.

Professional scale: The USPCA has been without a functioning scale for some time--a very important item for the USPCA's vet clinic and a simple fix that we quickly took care of.

A person in s red shirt holding a dog on a leash and being weighted on a large scale at the Uganda SPCA shelter. — We purchased this scale, something a vet clinic can't easily do without!

Italy kennel roof repair: A tree fell on Italy kennel's roof and caused major damage that we agreed to repair with AKI funds.

A kennel with four brown dogs standing and looking out and a piece of tin material falling from the roof at the Uganda SPCA. — A tree from the neighboring property fell on Italy kennel's roof-no dogs were hurt, thank goodness!

Three men including one on a ladder fixing the roof of a dog kennel at the Uganda SPCA shelter. — Italy kennel's roof gets repaired

Staff salaries: We're happy to report that all USPCA staff have received raises, albeit small ones, but after some years with no increase in salaries and with high inflation in Uganda, much needed raises, especially given their challenging work and the good job they do!

Eight men and women sitting and looking at one woman standing and three dogs nearby in the Uganda SPCA office. — I met with USPCA staff (and a few USPCA dogs joined us) to discuss what is going well, what is most needed, and what the biggest challenges are.

Staff uniforms: You might notice that the staff uniforms are looking tattered. It was time for new uniforms and gumboots, and AKI was happy to supply those for the hardworking staff.

Nine people holding a Uganda SPCA banner and wearing blue uniforms. — USPCA staff got sparkling new uniforms and gumboots to start the new year! (3 staff are missing from from the photo)

Also, since October, Animal-Kind International has been covering the cost to spay and neuter the cats and dogs at the shelter. When we learned of the backlog of 43 animals (at that time), who had been rescued over the previous weeks, but hadn't yet been s/n'd, we sent the USPCA additional funds to get them fixed. Since October, volunteer vets have been spending time at the USPCA to spay and neuter USPCA shelter pets. By December, they had caught up with the original backlog, but of course, many more animals had been rescued by then and needed to be s/n'd.

The good news is that now, with AKI funding and the enthusiastic support of volunteer vets, no dog or cat has to wait long after they arrive at the shelter to be spayed or neutered.

A large kennel at the Uganda SPCA shelter with 3 dogs at the front looking out. — Dogs who are in line to be spayed are kept in a separate kennel, They are kept separate from dogs ready for neuter surgery. All adult dogs (and cats) are spayed or neutered prior to adoption!

Our support for the USPCA means that the USPCA can continue to rescue and provide the ongoing care needed, helping about 1000 animals annually.

A colorful pie chart showing that the Uganda SPCA spent most AKI funds on staff salaries and dog and cat food

How your support will be helping cats & dogs at the Uganda SPCA in 2025

In 2025, we will continue to support our USPCA Partner. Our Partner Organizations can use AKI funds for their priority needs as long as they are used to support animal care and promote animal welfare.

In 2025, donations to AKI will be used to provide food for the ~350 cats and dogs at the USPCA's two shelters. In 2024, the Elaine Law Memorial Pet Food Fund, as well as USPCA kennel sponsorships donated through AKI, covered all pet food needs beyond the food donated by local people directly at the shelter. We hope that in 2025, we can again supply the dog and cat food needs for the shelter pets.

With your support, we'll continue to fund staff salaries, shelter supplies, spay/neuter, transport to rescue cats and dogs, and more. Besides moving to the new shelter, our other big priority is to purchase a vehicle for the USPCA to replace their broken down pick-up truck.

All that we do ensures that the USPCA can provide the valuable community services they are so relied on for:

Rescues