OUR STORY

Sandra Kliegelhoefer, Jens Fisseneber, and their dog Luca began a journey through Europe and Africa in their old Land Rover. Along the way, they stopped to care for several lost, abandoned, and injured dogs, ultimately adopting five before they settled at their current home in Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania.

After realising the growing need to help neglected and abanoned dogs in their community, Sandra and Jens established Mbwa wa Africa, a no-kill animal shelter that focused on caring for animals and finding them adoptive homes. 5 dog kennels were built, eventually housing around 40 dogs and successfully re-habilitating and re-homeing hundred of dogs since then.

The organization expanded by partnering with “Mission Rabies” and “World Wide Veterinary Services” to include rabies vaccination campaigns, spay/neuter clinics and animal welfare education.

In 2015, our Scottish Sister-Charity “Four Steps to Freedom” was founded by our dear friend Phyllis Hutchison, with the goal to combine forces to eliminate rabies in Tanzania and built a state-of-the art rescue & education centre.

With funds raised by “Four Steps to Freedom”, a new property was purchased: “The Gongo Centre”, a safe haven with the purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing dogs & cats in need as well as offering veterinary treatment to the community in our very own not-for-profit veterinary clinci.

The shelter moved to “The Gongo Centre”, providing new possibilities of care for our beloved animals with the clinic being located on the same property as well as a lot more space to accomodate more animals in need.

Construction of a Quarantine and Isolation began. With contaminating diseases like Parvo and Rabies circulating in Tanzania, these buildings have proven to be crucial for the welfare and care of our rescues. Additionally, a Cattery was built, giving our cats more space and also here more possibilities to quarantine incoming and sick animals.

The organization grew a lot over the past years since moving to our new property and by now houses over 70 dogs and 30 cats. Mbwa Wa Africa now employs over 20 people, who together make sure that all animals in our rescue centre are feeling loved and cared for. We have continued construction on our brand new veterinary clinic and training centre as well as welcomed several veterinary interns, providing them with essential education.