Mbwa wa Africa Animal Rescue was founded as a dog shelter and is now leading companion animal welfare in the Arusha Region.
Taking a holistic approach of rescue, rabies elimination and humane dog population control.

Four Steps to Freedom, formerly known as Friends of Mbwa Wa Africa, is our sister charity in Scotland. Since 2015, they have been campaigning tirelessly to raise the vital funds and awareness we need to free Tanzania from the threat of rabies.

As non profit charities we rely on your support to fulfil our mission.
Please donate as little or as much as you can in the fight against rabies. Saving human lives and to improve companion animal welfare in Tanzania

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How We Help

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Rescue & Rehabilitation

We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home injured, abused and neglected street dogs
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Rabies Elimination

In Tanzania, rabies claims the lives of 1,500 humans per year. We are working in partnership with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to eliminate rabies in the Arusha Region.

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Spay / Neuter Clinics

We run regular spay / neuter clinics to humanely control the ever growing dog population.

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Community Outreach

We are providing free veterinary service to dog owners who otherwise couldn’t afford treatment for their animals.

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Dogs Rehomed
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Dogs Vaccinated
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Dogs Sterilized
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Students Educated
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How You Can Help

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Adopt

By adopting one of our shelter dogs or cats you save a homeless animal and help us in our goal of giving these beautiful creatures a good and happy life.
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Sponsor

Sponsoring a dog or cat gives you the chance to provide the necessary funding to shelter and rehabilitate for a dog or cat of your choice.

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Donate

As we rely 100% on donations, your support is needed to keep our spay / neuter and vaccination campaigns running. Without your help we can’t help.

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Volunteer

Are you interested in “hands on” help or trying to gain work experience abroad? Please contact us for details on how you can be part of this programme.

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Our Partners

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The World Wide Veterinary Service is our partner since 2015. Their ongoing support of vet supplies and funding for sterilisation clinics is having a profound effect in our Meru District project area.
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Since 2016 we are working with Mission Rabies towards a rabies free Meru District. And thanks to the year round epidemiology support could expand our project area to other districts as well.

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Thanks to the Foundation for Veterinary Aid International we have been able to run plenty of sterilisation and rabies vaccination campaigns in Arusha City. Without the regular visits of Dr. Marie Simard and her team we would not have been able to sterilize over 1,300 dogs in Baraa and Kimandolu Wards by now.

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What Our Volunteers Say

Susan Bell MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon, Scotland

“If you are considering volunteering at Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue – DO IT, and take some colleagues with you! I did a 2 week spay/neuter/vaccination campaign in 2019, volunteering through WVS and had such a great time, I can’t wait to do another! All the volunteers, international and local, worked together brilliantly as a team. Jens, Sandra and their team at The Rescue are inspirational and so incredibly dedicated to improving animal welfare and education in the area.”

Susan Bell MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon, Scotland

Kirsti Sherring, Veterinary Nurse, Australia

“We were all introduced to a very friendly, kind and knowledgeable man called Jens who runs Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue and who was the main organiser for the WVS animal de-sexing programme. Throughout my time in Tanzania, I was increasingly impressed with Jens’s passion and dedication for the welfare of animals in Arusha and his focus on educating the community on respectful and responsible dog and cat ownership. The days started early with our setting up a makeshift veterinary surgery, and we would keep going until all the animals signed up were de-sexed, vaccinated and safely recovered.”

Kirsti Sherring

Veterinary Nurse, Australia

Dre Marie-Josée Simard, President, Fondation Aide Vétérinaire Internationale

“Husband and wife team, Jens and Sandra, do incredible work for the dogs and people of Tanzania. Be it through their shelter, their sterilisation clinics, rabies vaccination drives, TVT treatments and educational activities in the schools, they are making a significant difference. I was so impressed with the work of Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue that I have organised six missions to Tanzania since 2017 and can’t wait to get back to help them continue their life saving work!”

Dre Marie-Josée Simard

President, Fondation Aide Vétérinaire Internationale

Anika, Volunteer, Germany

“I was welcomed straight away and felt immediately at home thanks to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I am still impressed with how much love and patience Sandra and Jens have, to take care of every dog and cat. Injured or orphaned animals arrive at the shelter almost every day. Jens and Sandra show nothing but love for the animals, which very unfortunately are often horribly mistreated in Tanzania.”

Anika

Volunteer, Germany

Uli, Volunteer, Germany

“I first volunteered with Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue in 2018 for two months. From the very first moment, I felt like part of the team! Every day was so different, we walked all the dogs, washed the puppies or trained some of them. I got an insight into the different training methods and treatments for dogs and cats, and a lot of knowledge about their behaviour. Seeing the great work they do every day inspired me, and being a part of this amazing project is an incredible feeling! I can only recommend this project to everyone who loves dogs and cats and is looking for an ethical, sustainable volunteering opportunity in Tanzania.”

Uli

Volunteer, Germany

Louise Suring, Volunteer, Germany

“I came to Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue as a volunteer and left with unforgettable memories, a beloved, new, furry life-companion, and the burning wish to return as soon as possible. Ever since, I’ve been in close contact with Sandra, Jens and their team and returned several  times. The team of dedicated staff are making little miracles happen. Besides getting involved in the daily routine at the shelter, I participated in one of their anti-rabies mass vaccination campaigns. I feel honoured to have been part of such a dedicated team and will continue to support their wonderful and essential work.”

Louise Suring

Volunteer, Germany

Jessica Hofmann, Volunteer, Germany

“From my first day, I was amazed at the work being done at this shelter. Such warm-hearted people who give their heart and soul for the well-being of the dogs and cats, and who go above and beyond, so that as many animals as possible can survive and thrive. The fact that everything possible is done to protect the animals, and prevent situations arising that will affect their health and well-being, makes this organisation very special.  Vaccination & sterilisation campaigns, educational work in schools…………the list goes on. I would go back anytime!”

Jessica Hoffmann

Volunteer, Germany

Nicole, Veterinary Nurse, England

“I originally agreed to go for 3 months, however I’m currently starting my 5th month with no plans to leave any time soon! The work Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue continues to do has been invaluable to the community, and I love being part of it. Owing to the prevalence of rabies here in Tanzania, many people are still scared of dogs.  As a result, they throw stones, beat, and even kill dogs in the most barbaric of ways. The team here really are making a difference; fewer rabies cases reported in the area and controlling the street-dog population, through promoting neutering and spaying campaigns.”

Nicole

Veterinary Nurse, England

Alina, Veterinary Student, Germany

“I’m 22 years old and I study veterinary medicine at a university in Leipzig, Germany. In 2017, before I started studying, I worked as a volunteer at Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue for 3 months. During my time there, I learned so much about animal care and medical treatment, but it was the people I got to know that made these months the best time of my life. Teamwork and trust in your co-workers contribute hugely to successful animal welfare programmes like this one.”

Alina

Veterinary Student, Germany

Birgit Weissinger, Volunteer, Austria

“Working with Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue has definitely changed my life. When I first came as a volunteer, Sandra and Jens treated me like a member of the family straight away. The passion and effort they put into their work is just incredible, and this is reflected in the love and care every animal in the shelter experiences. Their aim of improving the lives, and life-chances of  every animal that crosses the shelter’s threshold, no matter how long the stay, is something unique. Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue…. a place where miracles happen and stories of laughter and tears are written together.

Birgit Weissinger

Volunteer, Austria