NAWA ties animal care to community wellbeing

In early August, the Namibian Animal Welfare Association (NAWA) once again travelled to a remote Namibian community, offering free spaying and neutering to dog and cat owners – the latest stop in the non-profit's outreach programme.

NAWA veterinarian Dr Courtney Geyer and veterinary assistant Aaron Iyambo, supported by volunteers Martin Bohn and Secky Nahole, spent the day treating cats and dogs entrusted to their care by community members. "Today's outreach was a complete success," Geyer told this publication.

NAWA, led by committee chair Janine van Rooyen, was registered as an animal welfare organisation in 2020. The non-profit's underlying principle is that human health is closely intertwined with the health of their animals.

“Over the past five years, our primary focus has been on promoting community-based animal welfare, education and veterinary care for the most vulnerable Namibians – people who love their pets and livestock but have little or no financial means to care for them,” NAWA says.

"It concentrates its efforts on the most remote communities, where there is neither electricity nor sanitation nor running water, let alone veterinary care."

“By protecting animals from zoonotic diseases and parasites, we also protect people,” says NAWA.

“Over the years, we have earned the support of the police, church representatives, and school principals, as well as the trust of the communities where we work. We ensure that community members collaborate with us while equipping them with skills, knowledge and a broader understanding of the well-being of all.”

Skills for animal welfare

To this end, NAWA organises training and education sessions on animal welfare and the species-appropriate treatment of all animals, provides basic knowledge on horse care and handling, and ensures the continuing education of members of local communities to assist with administrative tasks and to produce dog collars, horse and donkey bridles, as well as sturdy steel buckles and harnesses.

The organisation offers owners of pets and working animals vaccinations for their animals against rabies and tetanus, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, as well as dental care, hoof care, emergency surgeries, emergency response, and basic first aid for wound care – all free of charge.

“We provide medical treatment as long as our financial resources and sponsorship funds allow.”

Among NAWA’s most important services, however, are spaying and neutering dogs, cats and other animals. “Our fully equipped examination room in Groot Aub and our state-of-the-art mobile surgical trailer cater to the needs of those who cannot bring their pets to the vet,” says NAWA.

The NAWA veterinary team is on duty every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and travels to remote areas four to six times a year to provide care. The idea: “Fewer births mean fewer strays, which means less need for medication, which means a better quality of life for the people in the community and the animals.”

Pack-animal welfare

And then there’s “Project Donkey” – a nationwide initiative launched by NAWA to alleviate the suffering of equines used as working animals in Namibia.

“We confiscate the horrific equipment that causes the animals agony and replace it with our animal-friendly, locally manufactured equipment,” says NAWA. “Training and educating animal handlers on species-appropriate care and the well-being of all animals we encounter during our missions is of the utmost importance.” NAWA receives its own funding for this purpose.

And NAWA’s programmes are proving successful: In 2025, the organisation treated 2 219 animals, educated 1 634 pet owners, performed 582 spay/neuter procedures, treated 316 equines, and carried out 27 emergency surgeries.

“Without our dedicated supporters, sponsors, volunteers, veterinarians, veterinary students and animal lovers – who selflessly give their time and money – NAWA would not be able to make as much of a difference as we do.”