Animal Smile Africa: Providing Health and Hope Where It’s Needed Most
When we think about animals in Africa, most of us picture lions stalking their prey, zebras and wildebeest gathered around a watering hole, or elephants and giraffes striding across the savannah. In reality, these sorts of scenes are limited to relatively small patches of the continent, and the animals you’re far more likely to encounter are of the domestic variety, most of which are living in poor conditions.
Just south of the equator in eastern Africa is Tanzania, home to breathtaking scenery and the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Tanzania is also home to approximately 3 million stray dogs.
In a country where poverty and public health have been the focus of many missions and charitable organizations, one man saw a need to address the way stray animal populations impacted, and were impacted by, these issues. In 2021, Alpha Maiseli founded Animal Smile Africa, an NGO located in the nation’s capital of Dodoma, with a vision of improving the lives of animals in need, under the guiding values of compassion, sustainability, and integrity.
With the help and support of his former colleagues at Visele Livecrop Skills Training Centre and the founder of International Veterinary Outreach, Alpha has created an organization that is helping to improve the health of stray dogs and cats, as well as providing education and experience that benefit the whole community.
Malaika’s Story
Malaika was brought to Animal Smile Africa by her young owner, Ngimba, who was worried about her future and health. The pair share a deep bond, and Ngimba was worried that if Malaika were to become pregnant, he would be unable to care for her puppies, and he wanted to give her the best chance at a healthy life. After getting in touch with one of their outreach programs, Malaika came to Animal Smile Africa where she was spayed, vaccinated against rabies, and received parasite prevention.
A Community-Based Approach
Part of Alpha’s mission at Animal Smile Africa is to provide essential treatment and preventive healthcare to dogs and cats, both owned and stray, but his vision is much greater than this. By offering training and experience opportunities, he hopes to increase awareness and understanding of animal health and welfare and improve the relationship and bond between humans and animals, all while reducing the number of stray cats and dogs, zoonotic parasites, and the incidence of rabies. Currently, around 1500 people die each year from rabies infection in Tanzania, and the more animals that are vaccinated against this fatal virus, the lower that figure becomes. The work being done at Animal Smile Africa has the potential to not just help animals in need now, but to have far-reaching impacts on the surrounding communities for years to come.
The Mission
Following a One Health approach to foster a sustainable and compassionate future for animals in Tanzania. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we strive to ensure the well-being of both animals and communities, forging a harmonious relationship between humans and animals for the benefit of all.
The Vision
A sustainable and humane future where animals in Tanzania thrive alongside communities, creating a harmonious coexistence for generations to come.
The Journey So Far
Since its inception, Alpha and the team at Animal Smile Africa have achieved some impressive results.
2,511 dogs and 85 cats vaccinated – Protecting animals from deadly diseases and ensuring they lead healthier lives.
152 dogs and 11 cats spayed and neutered – Helping to control the stray animal population.
Provided capacity building and training for over 100 veterinary and para-veterinary students.
Facilitated the formation of 2 animal welfare clubs – Fostering a culture of care and compassion within local communities.
Provided parasite treatments to over 500 animals – Alleviating their suffering and improving their quality of life.
Free food and water to 100 animals – Ensuring their basic needs are met.
How to Get Involved
Like any charitable organization, Animal Smile Africa relies on our generosity and support. There are a number of ways you can help the wonderful work of Alpha and the team, including:
Donations
$10 can provide a week's worth of food for a dog.
$25 can cover the cost of a vaccination for a dog or a cat.
$50 can fund a spay/neuter surgery to help control the stray animal population.
$100 can sponsor a community education workshop on animal welfare.
$250 can help in capacity building for veterinarian and paravet students.
Even a small amount can make a big difference. CLICK HERE to make a donation.
Volunteering and Collaboration
Animal Smile Africa welcomes individual volunteers, partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities. CLICK HERE for more information.
Adoption
You can get in touch with Animal Smiles Africa if you think you have what it takes to provide a loving home for a Tanzanian cat or dog.
Increasing Awareness
Subscribing and sharing costs nothing, but can make a huge difference in increasing awareness of this wonderful cause.
Click below to follow Animal Smile Africa on your favorite social network:
Named for their determination to bring back smiles to their furry friends’ faces, we hope that Animal Smiles Africa can continue in their mission to improve the health, happiness, and quality of life of the animals in Tanzania and the people who share their world.
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Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet)
Dr. Karyn is originally from Queensland, Australia, and has resided in the UK for the past 10 years. She graduated from The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science in 2010, and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Karyn is passionate about using experience, evidence, and working with pet owners to provide the best solutions for pets. She also believes in making reliable information about animal health accessible to everyone. 5 cats and 4 dogs let her share their home with her and her husband, and when she is not practising as a veterinary surgeon, she spends her time writing, gardening, and cleaning up pet hair!
