Help Us Transform Uganda SPCA Haven Animal Shelter

During March and April, I spent 3 weeks in Uganda (for my job with US Agency for International Development) and I spent all 3 weekends, both Saturday and Sunday, at The Haven. What better place to be when in Kampala?!

Currently, there are about 230 dogs and cats at The Haven. I remember when the number first went above 200 animals, around 5 years ago. And since then, it's never dropped below 200. Although that's far more than was ever intended (in 2006, we thought 80 dogs and 20 cats was reasonable), the new pens-and more pens--don't make it feel quite so crowded.

It's only when you try to walk dogs or maneuver from pen to pen (for feeding time or petting time), you realize that for such a small space, there are far too many dogs. Or to put it another way, all these dogs need to be in the safe environment that The Haven offers, but the space is far too small to hold all the dogs in need of shelter. The cats do much better, with 1 large cattery (donated by a generous AKI donor), a converted garage, and a pen (in the office) for very small kitties.

Since I was last in Uganda (about 2 1/2 years ago), The Haven has added more staff, which is great news. In the group picture attached, you can see: Jackie (vet assistant), Moses, Alex (shelter manager), Fred, Irene, and Lydia. Not in the group picture, but shown separately, there's Dominic, Mary, and Vincent. Josephine (see picture at community vet clinic) is the USPCA vet, new since last I visited.

Even in the short time I was in Uganda, the number of dogs at The Haven increased. Two mama dogs with puppies were rescued in Lubowa; I participated in one rescue of a young male dog, who was saved by a kind neighbor who chased away some kids who were throwing stones at the dog and then called the USPCA (pictured with Dominic); additionally, 4 adult dogs were either brought to or rescued by the USPCA, as were numerous puppies (without moms)--probably an average of about 1 dog/day over the 3 weeks I was in Uganda. A few cats were rescued and brought to The Haven during those 3 weeks.

How many dogs and cats were adopted in that timespan? Four dogs (2 of them puppies) and 2 cats. So much for balance!

So you can see that the numbers are only going to increase. I think this is not necessarily because there's more cruelty, but because more people know about The Haven and because cruelty has become less acceptable. Most of the people who report dogs and cats in need of rescue, most of the people who actually rescue animals and bring them to The Haven, and most adopters are Ugandans. About 50% of the people who came to volunteer while I was volunteering were Ugandan.  The Haven is Uganda's animal shelter, Uganda's animal welfare organization. 

I was shocked by the new construction next to and across from The Haven (see picture)--Kampala is booming. I bet it won't be long before people begin to complain about the noise of the dogs barking and even the smell (I think The Haven is kept very clean, but I'm sure people will complain!).

While I was in Uganda, we looked at a few plots of land, but none were suitable-too expensive, too inaccessible, too small. This remains a priority for the USPCA-two board members with good connections are now tasked with identifying land within USPCA's budget, possibly owned by someone who would be willing to consider a partial donation (land between Kampala and Entebbe has become so expensive, and with some big land owners, we are hoping to find a generous soul to donate a portion of a plot).

Alex, Haven Shelter Manager, presented a certificate (pictured) to me/AKI, but it is for all of you who have donated, who stick with us, and who are committed to seeing the USPCA Haven on a new, spacious plot of land. I am 100% sure that we will get there, it might take longer than we'd like, but it will happen!