01About us
Who we are and why we exist.
Rescue Paws of Zanzibar stands up for injured and abandoned animals on Zanzibar, together with Zanzibar Animal Care. It all began with a single cat. Today a shelter with a veterinary clinic stands in Kidoti, built together with the community, where cats and dogs receive care and can live safely.
02Our story
From the first cat to today.
03Zanzibar needs our help
United for the stray dogs and cats.
Behind the dream beaches, Zanzibar is poor: almost one in three people lives below the poverty line, on the neighbouring island of Pemba more than one in two (World Bank, 2015 data). There is little left for animals.
Every day, countless stray cats and dogs struggle to survive on the streets of Zanzibar. Many are sick, injured or starving, and their numbers keep growing. According to estimates:
- 150,000 to 200,000 stray dogs live on the island, and the number grows every year
- 500,000 to 1,000,000 stray cats
- 1 to 5 accidents involving dogs or cats every day in busy traffic areas
- 20 to 40 animals die every day from road accidents, illness or abuse
04More than a shelter
A place for care, connection and education.
The most urgent problem: there are hardly any shelters or veterinary services for these animals. The few existing facilities are overwhelmed. Most animals are left completely on their own.
That’s why, together with Zanzibar Animal Care (Zacare) and our community, we built a shelter with an integrated veterinary clinic in Kidoti. Here injured, sick and abandoned animals receive medical care, vaccinations, neutering and a safe place to recover. To keep this possible every day, ongoing support for care, medicines and food is still needed.
But the place is more than a shelter: it is also meant to be a place for education, awareness and connection. Locals and travellers alike can learn, help and become part of a new movement for animal protection on Zanzibar, rooted in compassion, responsibility and hope.
05Zanzibar Animal Care
Together with Zacare.
Zanzibar Animal Care (Zacare) is a registered veterinary clinic with an animal shelter on Zanzibar, founded and led by Makame, committed to providing medical aid and protection to animals in need.
Despite limited funding, few supplies and harsh working conditions, the Zacare team works tirelessly: treating infections, cleaning wounds, rescuing strays, vaccinating, neutering and advocating for better animal welfare. Their dream: a fully equipped clinic and shelter that gives every animal a fighting chance.
Rescue Paws of Zanzibar supports Zacare from Germany: in building the shelter with its integrated veterinary clinic in Kidoti and today with the ongoing care of the animals.
