Lazawo - Tanzania: rescue, shelter, spay-neuter, re-home

Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organization, located in Mwanza (2 million people, the 2nd largest city in Tanzania) successfully completed their AKI grant, Medical Care for New Intakes at Lake Zone Animal Sanctuary.

In 2023, Lazawo began construction of Mwanza’s first-ever dog sanctuary and in June 2024, completed the final stages with the arrival of water and electric. The sanctuary space is designed to hold 20 to 30 dogs at a time with the goal of re-homing as many street dogs as possible into forever homes after they've been medically treated, vaccinated, and sterilized.

When rescued, this puppy was 3 to 4 months old and very skinny. She had minor mange and fleas and had obviously been surviving on the street for some time. She had a broken front right paw and had been struck on the head with a sharp object (most likely to kill her). She was found lying semi-conscious in the street by a volunteer. Despite the abuse, she is very friendly! Lazawo's Dr Zacharia de-wormed, gave flea baths, and vaccinated her and she was adopted soon after!

While Lazawo focuses primarily on spay, neuter, and vaccination campaigns, they quickly realized the need for rescue and re-homing.

"...There are times when we simply can’t leave a dog to recover on the streets. And our hearts won’t let us walk away. The need for a permanent sanctuary space for dogs to recover medically and receive proper vet care before being re-homed became obvious," Anna (Lazawo volunteer) said when explaining the need for a shelter in Mwanza.

Our 6-month grant to Lazawo did just that--it helped rescue dogs receive proper vet care, shelter, and be re-homed.  

The AKI grant to Lazawo provided funding for: 1) emergency intake of medically fragile dogs, 2) adoption advertising campaign,  and 3) purchase of proper leashes for dogs adopted from the sanctuary.

How did it go?

Anna told us, "I feel it was an incredibly successful 6-months.

23 puppies were rescued off the streets (10 died (8 from parvo contracted prior to intake), 3 are awaiting homes, 10 successfully re-homed).

8 adults dogs were rescued off the streets (only those with extreme need for medical attention or signs of abuse).

11 adult dogs were sterilized (all 8 rescues + 3 semi-owned dogs allowed to roam in an over-populated area).

6 veterinary students attended sterilization/medical treatment of dogs at the sanctuary to learn more about this surgery.

3 paravets worked closely with Lazawo vet Dr Zacharia and para-vet Gama during the grant period, following them and learning.

250 flyers were distributed to churches, government offices, and markets advertising Lazawo’s sanctuary and adoption program.

Hundreds of small flyers were handed out at 3 separate farmer markets where Lazawo had a booth with volunteers advertising adoptions, the sanctuary, and the Five Freedoms.

Lazawo expected to rescue more adult street dogs, but it turned out that the majority of adult street dogs they dealt with were healthy enough to remain on the streets and it was mainly puppies who needed to be rescued and brought to a safe place. Far too often, owned dogs have puppies and once the puppies reach 4 to 6 weeks old, they are dumped on the streets.

This 4 week old pup was abandoned outside a Lazawo volunteer's gate. In this picture, she was just fed and is resting. She was cared for at the Lazawo shelter until she was adopted.

Still, Lazawo found several adult dogs in need of immediate vet care and rescue.

These 2 dogs were rescued off the streets when they were in very poor condition. They were suffering from mange, worms, severe malnutrition, and flea-infestation. At the time this picture was taken, they had been treated for all their conditions and were awaiting sterilization once their health status improved.

When rescued, street dog Batman had mange covering 80% of his body, a broken femur, and fleas/worms. He was rescued and brought to Lazawo's shelter, where he recovered and was sterilized. If his leg heals properly, he will be re-homed. If not, he will remain safe at the sanctuary. At the start of the year, Batman was the only adult dog at the sanctuary.

Street dog Batman prior to being rescued. Here he is laying in the street under a tree trying to avoid attention of the people milling around.

Rescued street dog resting and gaining strength at Lazawo's shelter. She had a bad case of mange, now healed, and she was malnourished. She gained weight and after spaying, she was adopted!

Lazawo used radio and TV to advertise the Lazawo rescue and adoption program over World Rabies Day in September.

For World Rabies Day, locals gather in the village of Isamilo for education on rabies and the Five Freedoms.

Anna told us, "We were pleasantly surprised by how many locals were willing to take in a rehabbed street dog....This makes us believe that taking in sick street dogs, healing them, then rehoming them is actually possible in Mwanza!"

Here are more stories about our support for Lazawo's rescue and re-homing project (in their words and posts):

Two Lazawo dogs get adopted!

Puppy adopted!

Simba adopted!

The owners were unaware of what was wrong with the dog or why she was sick. Lazawo vets treated her for mange and educated the owners on care of the dog. After 2 visits, the dog had improved greatly. Lazawo continues to check on her.

Puppies rescued!

And it's not just dogs!

3 street cats were spayed with AKI funds as they continued to have litters in an area where the cats were welcomed by locals but the kittens were not.

1 street cat was rescued from being stoned in downtown Mwanza early in November. It received severe wounds to its skull and eye. However, with rest and treatment, the cat is recovered and was adopted by the man who stopped the person from stoning the cat and called Lazawo for help!

About Lazawo - Tanzania: rescue, shelter, spay-neuter, re-home

Lazawo is working to end the suffering of street dogs and donkeys in western Tanzania and to end human deaths from rabies. They promote compassionate care of ALL animals by educating communities on the proper treatment and care of animals at home and at work.

Their vision is communities where dogs, donkeys, and all other animals can live a life free of cruelty and suffering and receive the compassionate care they deserve.

Lazawo focuses on four main areas in the Lake Zone District of Tanzania: 1) spay & neuter clinics with a focus on street & village dogs, 2) medical care and vaccination clinics for street dogs and working donkeys, 3) animal welfare education within the community, and 4) rescue and rehome for medically vulnerable street dogs with those unable to be rehomed staying at our permanent dog sanctuary.

THANK YOU TO LAZAWO for a great job on their grant project to rescue, shelter, re-home, and of course, spay/neuter in Tanzania!