Promoting welfare of dogs in rural South Africa

At Nourish, we believe that caring for our communities means caring for all its members — both people and animals. Through our Promoting the Welfare of Dogs in Rural South Africa initiative, we’re working to build healthier, more compassionate relationships between families and their dogs in the village of Makrepeni.

To strengthen this effort, we’ve recently employed a dedicated Animal Outreach Officer, Frank, a local community member passionate about animal welfare. Frank is currently undergoing training through the Global Alliance for Rabies Control Educational Platform, focusing on rabies education, animal handling, and community engagement. Alongside this formal training, our team at Nourish is equipping him with knowledge in basic dog care and welfare, understanding common dog diseases, managing internal and external parasites, and recognizing potential human exposure risks.

As part of our ongoing efforts, we recently conducted a dog population survey in Makrepeni, identifying 60 dogs in the community — 29 males, 25 females, and 11 puppies under four weeks old. Of these, 10 adult dogs have already been sterilized, marking a promising start to our long-term goal of ensuring every dog in the area is sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.

To expand our impact, we’re seeking to connect with veterinary partners to understand the costs associated with sterilization (both male and female dogs) and rabies vaccinations, as well as to explore options for veterinary support when needed. 

This project is an important step toward creating a healthier, safer, and more compassionate community — for both humans and their loyal companions.

With your support, we’re making strides toward a future where every dog is cared for, protected, and valued.