The LSPCA was established in 2008 and became the first registered charity to help domestic animals, farm animals and working animals in Malawi. LSPCA’s projects include running the first veterinary hospital in Malawi, campaigning against roadside sale of animals, rescue and rehoming, rabies surveillance and continuous vaccination, welfare accreditation schemes, veterinary training and education, stray dog population management, free mobile clinic service for animals in low income and rural communities, and advising the government on legislation.

Impact and achievements:

• Facilitated the development of the National Animal Welfare Guidelines in Malawi in 2019. Currently, facilitating the review and drafting of the new Animal Welfare Act.

• Facilitated the development of Animal Protection Bylaws in Lilongwe District. These have led to a significant decrease in animal cruelty and abuse cases in the area.

• Awarded ‘best organisation’ from Global Alliance for Rabies Control in 2017, recognising their efforts on rabies control in the Sub-Saharan region.

• Facilitated the formation of the National Rabies Elimination Task force under a One Health Approach, which involves various stakeholders from various sectors and disciplines.

• Conducted mass rabies vaccination campaigns, vaccinating over 200,000 dogs.

• Sensitised and trained 183,000 teachers  in Lilongwe Urban Education district about the dangers and prevention of rabies, prevention of dog bites, and necessary precautionary measures.

• Rescued 126 puppies & kittens from the side of the road and rehomed over 150 animals in 2021.

• Provided welfare accreditation schemes to six companies that adhered to the Animal Welfare Guidelines for working dogs in 2021.

• Running a donkey welfare programme that has substantially improved the welfare of over 2,500 donkeys around Lilongwe, Dedza and Dowa, and the livelihoods of over 500 donkey-owning households since 2016.

• Running a spay and neuter programme which has led to the sterilisation of over 5,000 companion animals.

• Running a veterinary training programme that has resulted in two cohorts of trained vets and paravets.

• Running the LSPCA Veterinary Hospital, which is the first and only certified veterinary hospital in Malawi and is a referral centre for the whole country.

• Conducting campaigns to stop the roadside sales of live animals, in conjunction with the Malawi Police Service, the Department for Animal Health and Livestock Development and Lilongwe City Council.

• Working alongside the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) – Bunda College, and Natural Resources College campuses to include animal welfare in the curriculum, deliver veterinary training through face-to-face and online lectures, and practical training at community vet clinics and hospital.

Plans with additional funding:

• Development of an education centre

• Training of veterinary students

• Setting up animal kindness/awareness clubs