About

Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organization (Lazawo) was founded as a local Tanzanian NGO in 2019 by veterinarians Dr Zacharia Elias, Sr Dr Rosamystica, and expat volunteer Hilkka. Recognizing the overwhelming needs of domesticated animals in the Mwanza Region – Lazawo began its work focusing on neglected and/or mistreated dogs, cats, and donkeys in the area. Sr Dr Rosamystica’s connection to the Tanzanian government (Lake Zone Veterinary Officer in Charge) allowed Lazawo access to critical information on the suffering of animals in the area. Through international funding from organizations such as SPCA-I, Network for Animals, and Animal Aid Abroad – Lazawo has been able to respond to emergency situations, offering mass rabies vaccine campaigns to replace dog cullings, treating donkeys during disease outbreaks, etc Over the past 12-months, Lazawo has focused on growing its international support in order to expand its veterinary services in the greater Mwanza Region. Over the past 12-months, Lazawo has held over 11 spay & neuter and mass rabies vaccine clinics in response to street dog overpopulation and rabies outbreaks. Additionally, they were granted funding to begin Mwanza’s first-ever street dog sanctuary to house medically fragile street dogs. Lazawo seeks to grow its influence in the Lake Zone – educating local animal welfare officers and community members on better and more humane treatment of animals – with a special focus on donkeys and dogs. Additionally, Lazawo also seeks to grow its international funding in order to provide much needed medical treatment and clinics to the donkeys and street dogs of the Mwanza Region