Veterinary Outreach and Welfare Program
(VOWP)
Africa faces a growing challenge of limited access to quality veterinary care, especially in rural and underserved communities. Many animals suffer from preventable diseases, poor nutrition, and inadequate welfare standards due to the lack of veterinary services and awareness. This not only causes animal suffering but also negatively affects human communities, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Diseases such as rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease, African swine fever,
anthrax, brucellosis and tick-borne diseases continue to spread due to weak veterinary
infrastructure. Poor animal welfare practices in farming, transport and slaughter contribute
further to unnecessary suffering and lost productivity. There is an urgent need for an outreach-
centered veterinary program that bridges these gaps.
Our Capacity
The African Institute for Animal Welfare has established a strong foundation in advocacy, animal welfare education and community engagement. Through the Veterinary Outreach and Welfare Program we leverage:
- A network of veterinary professionals, animal health workers and welfare advocates dedicated to compassionate care.
- Partnerships with local communities, government institutions and international organizations to extend veterinary services and awareness campaigns.
- A One Health approach, linking animal health to human well-being and environmental protection.
- Experience in policy engagement enabling us to advocate for stronger animal protection laws and enforcement.
This capacity positions us to deliver impactful services that go beyond treatment while addressing prevention, welfare and systemic change.
Impact of the Program
The program is designed to achieve measurable results in animal welfare and community well-being:
- Reduced animal suffering through increased access to professional and compassionate veterinary services.
- Improved public health by reducing zoonotic disease transmission such as rabies, anthrax and brucellosis.
- Enhanced livelihoods by improving the productivity and survival of farmed animals which many families rely on for food and income.
- Education and awareness that shift communities toward responsible animal ownership, disease prevention and better welfare practices.
- Policy influence to ensure stronger legal frameworks for veterinary care, animal transport and humane treatment.
Animals Benefiting from the Program
VOWP is designed to reach a wide range of animals including:
- Companion animals (dogs, cats) through rabies vaccination, treatment and humane care.
- Farmed animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry) through disease prevention, treatment and welfare education.
- Wildlife and aquatic life through partnerships and advocacy addressing poaching-related injuries, disease control and habitat-linked welfare concerns.
Diseases Addressed
The program targets prevention and treatment of common and critical diseases such as:
- Rabies (dogs, cats, wildlife – fatal and zoonotic).
- Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) (cattle, pigs, goats – highly contagious).
- Newcastle disease (poultry – leading cause of losses in rural communities).
- African swine fever (ASF) (pigs – devastating to livelihoods).
- Brucellosis and anthrax (livestock – zoonotic, public health concern).
- Tick-borne diseases (cattle, goats, dogs – major cause of mortality).
The Law and Veterinary Welfare
While many African countries have Animal Diseases Acts, Veterinary Acts and Animal Protection Laws, enforcement is often weak and welfare is under-prioritized. Issues such as animal transport, slaughter practices and farmed animal conditions remain largely unregulated or poorly implemented.
This Program will not only deliver services but also advocate for stronger veterinary policies, improved enforcement of welfare laws and inclusion of animal welfare in national public health strategies.
By aligning veterinary practice with legal and ethical standards, the program seeks to create long-term structural change.