Helping Cats & Dogs Caught in the Congo Conflict

Animal-Kind International
Jun 28
4 min read

Around 7,000 people have been killed from January through mid-June in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. That estimate is probably a low one. Many more have been displaced.

The conflict is having profound effects on the people and animals of eastern Congo, as well as on Sauvons nos Animaux and their Havre de Paix shelter. We are thankful that no shelter staff, families of staff, nor any shelter animals have been hurt or killed. The shelter, which relies on us for about 75% of the running costs (which means we have to raise that money!), is intact and for now, safe. Even though the rebels have been at the shelter's gates, the cats and dogs, sadly caught up in the conflict in Congo, are safe and secure.

Person gently pets a gray cat through a wire fence, wearing a blue jacket at the animal shelter in Congo. — Aganze with a shelter kitty (June)

Person in blue coveralls holds a brown dog outside with trees and dog kennels in the background at the animal shelter in Congo. — During these tense times, staff find comfort with the shelter's animals (June)

A man in a blue jumpsuit pets a brown dog in a lush garden at the animal shelter in Congo. — At the shelter, a chance to relax (June)

Man in a blue jumpsuit holds a calm dog in a lush garden, surrounded by green foliage and a chain-link fence at the animal shelter in Congo. — Quiet time (June)

But life has been far from easy for people in eastern Congo, and simply leaving home means risking your life. Shelter workers are in danger every time they travel to the shelter and back home. Armed rebels will steal anything that has any value.

Also, withdrawing money from the bank is no longer a simple process. Paterne wrote to us that "In January, the funds were deposited into our account. On the 28th, I withdrew $4,000 to stock up and pay employees. Unfortunately, on January 28, Goma was invaded and the rebels approached Bukavu. Long queues formed in front of the banks as people tried to withdraw their money. Faced with strong demand, the bank introduced a withdrawal limit of $1,000 per week. I managed to withdraw another $2,500, but Bukavu also fell into rebel hands on February 16."

Later, Paterne wrote, "On March 1, the bank informed us that we could make withdrawals from their field agents via the Illico Cash app. With the closure of the banks, the dollar disappeared and the exchange rate climbed to $1 = 3,300 FC, whereas before the war it was $1 = 2,800 FC. However, the agents continued to serve us with the old exchange rate, while on the market it was already at 3,300 FC. [This means that when exchanging US$ for local currency and purchasing goods in FC, the accepted currency now, everything is more expensive.] What's more, a 6% fee is charged for each withdrawal. So, to withdraw $1,000, you have to pay $60."

But it gets worse! When the rebels arrived in Bukavu town, they looted the food depots. Then the rebels imposed flat-rate taxes on goods. For example, a bag of rice went from $25 to $35. Because of the exchange rate issue and because goods are scarce, dog and cat food prices have risen dramatically. Even though Sauvons nos Animaux doesn't rely solely on packaged cat and dog food, but feeds mainly fish and meat with rice, prices for these staples are also much higher than before the conflict.

Still, the staff make sure that the cats and dogs at the Havre de Paix shelter are well fed. Our Pet Food Fund has been a lifesaver, always available for Sauvons nos Animaux and their cats and dogs. BUT it relies on your donations!

Donate Now for Sauvons nos Animaux

Woman in colorful African attire holds pots and a man carries a puppy into the kennel with two other puppies looking on at the animal shelter in Congo. — It's feeding time for the shelter's puppies

Gray and white cat with yellow eyes stands behind wire mesh beside blue and red bowls on a wooden surface, looking alert and curious at the animal shelter in Congo. — Feeding time for the shelter's cats

Shelter employees' salaries are an AKI priority also. During the current crisis, as always, we try to make sure Paterne has the funds he needs to pay their salaries. Paterne confirmed in June that, "all those on the list [6 shelter employees] have been paid with a small surplus for their survival."

But how will salaries for July be paid? Sauvons nos Animaux is relying on us!

At the end of June, long-time Sauvons nos Animaux vet, Dr. Aristide (below right), will leave the Havre de Paix shelter and Dr Jackson from Goma (left) will replace him as the permanent shelter vet. Welcome to Dr Jackson!

Two people in masks care for a puppy on a red table with medical supplies at the animal shelter in Congo. — Drs Aristide and Jackson examining a rescued pup

Of course, with so much displacement and death, many cats and dogs have been abandoned. Currently, the Havre de Paix shelter has 92 dogs and 16 cats.

Children sitting on the ground holding colorful buckets as an adult stands by with a stone wall in the background and a dog in the foreground at the animal shelter in Congo. — At the Sauvons nos Animaux Animal-Friendly Kids Camp in summer 2024, one of the activities was to make cat houses out of plastic basins. This was before the conflict, before all the trauma. Sauvons nos Animaux won't be holding the Kids Camp this summer.

Two men in blue uniforms hold kittens in an outdoor enclosure with netting and lush greenery surrounds them at the animal shelter in Congo. — The cat houses that the kids made during Animal-Friendly Kids Camp have been well-used by the shelter's kitties. Mugisho holds Siya (far right) and Aganze holds Lila (left). Lila was rejected by his family because he wouldn't chase rats. Siya is one of 8 black cats currently at the shelter.

Two black kittens with wide eyes in a blue-lit setting at the animal shelter in Congo. — The cats are protected from rain, find comfort, and have fun in the plastic shelters that the children made.

Person with a kitten on their shoulder wearing a blue uniform with chicken wire and a white curtain in the background at the animal shelter in Congo. — Fun with one of the 8 black kitties at the shelter

Why so many black cats at the Havre de Paix shelter? Just like in many other places, in Congo, black cats are considered bad luck. Some people believe they're witches. When a family's cat has kittens, the humans will often discard the black cats just after birth.

Man in a white t-shirt gently holds a black kitten while standing in a green, leafy outdoor enclosure with mesh fencing at the animal shelter in Congo. — Aganze knows that black cats aren't bad luck!

Man smiling while holding a tabby cat in an outdoor setting with a metallic fence in the background at the animal shelter in Congo. — Although he no longer works at the shelter, Olivier still helps out when he can. In this picture, Olivier is holding Zila, a cat whose human family no longer wanted her.

Please help Sauvons nos Animaux continue to rescue and save cats and dogs caught in the conflict in Congo. 100% of your donations support cats and dogs affected by the conflict in eastern Congo.

Donate Now for Sauvons nos Animaux