News from our Partner Animal Shelter in Congo, Sauvons nos Animaux

Our previous AKI Blog post about Sauvons nos Animaux on June 28 described the situation at the shelter during the conflict in eastern Congo. By August, we had hoped that life might be getting back to normal in Bukavu and around the shelter.

One sign of a return to normalcy was that Paterne was able to go to Sunday jogging day in Bukavu on August 17. That Sunday, only one other person showed up with his dog. (We previously wrote about Sunday Jogging Day in Bukavu here.)

August 17 Sunday Jogging Day in downtown Bukavu

By August 24, several more people with their dogs came out for Sunday jogging day. The number was nowhere near what it was before the recent conflict in eastern Congo. But it was a good sign.

August 24 Sunday Jogging Day in Bukavu--people are starting to return

But in October, Paterne wrote to us:

"In recent weeks, the security situation in Bukavu has deteriorated significantly. Despite these very difficult circumstances, we continue to take in animals every week. Some are abandoned in front of the shelter fence, others are brought in by local residents, and sometimes rescues are carried out by the team.

In several cases, we have been unable to take photos, either because of insecurity or because conditions did not allow it. Here is a very recent example: less than two weeks ago [early October], I was almost arrested by the rebel intelligence service. I received a call reporting two dogs taking refuge under a vehicle in heavy rain. I immediately went to the scene to rescue them. I had taken my phone, even though it had already been damaged during the looting of the shelter. But at that moment, a man approached me and asked, 'Why are you taking pictures? Who are you sending this information to? Who sent you?' He demanded that I hand over my phone and remove the passcode. After looking through my gallery and seeing the photos of dogs and cats, he gave me back my phone and said, 'If you want to save the dogs, go ahead, but you're not allowed to take photos.' This is our daily reality."

Paterne explained further, "This is the context in which we work today, this is the reality of running an animal shelter in Congo. Every photo, every outing carries a risk. Before taking a picture, we must first assess the location, the people around us, and the safety situation. That's why, sometimes, certain actions are not documented. We live and work in constant fear, but despite everything, we continue to save lives."

A recent rescue was this dog, abandoned because he had suffered an eye injury, with one eye protruding from its socket. He was left at the gate of the shelter and the staff discovered him there in the morning.

A dog with an eye injury was left outside the shelter gate

The Sauvons nos Animaux vets (Arstide and Jackson) performed surgery on the eye and removed it.

Prepping for surgery

Some of you may know that a few months ago, the Sauvons nos Animaux shelter was attacked and looted by armed men. No one was injured, but they took 20 bags of rice and 6 bags of flour--all meant for cat and dog food. The absence of law enforcement and rule of law in the city encourages armed gangs; they can act with impunity. The gangs kill, loot, and break into homes and take what they want. "Since this event, we have adopted a policy of maximum security in the daily management of the shelter, while waiting for a gradual return to normal," Paterne said. 

The loss of the food was a tragedy for Sauvons nos Animaux. "The cost of living has tripled in the region because rebels and armed groups impose illegal taxes and directly collect money from the population for just about everything." That means to replace the rice and flour, Paterne would have to spend 3x what he previously paid.

We had sent Sauvons nos Animaux funds in June that we had hoped would last through the year. But because of the looting and the increase in prices, Paterne wrote to us in October that by November 1, he will have used all AKI funds for animal food, staff salaries, shelter repairs, and medicines. There would be nothing left.

That disbursement had mainly covered food for 5 months for 137 dogs and 23 cats (89 adult dogs, 48 puppies, 16 cats, and 7 kittens) and salaries for six shelter staff (which includes two vets, Arstide and Jackson) from February through June.

Finishing the wall behind the shelter-the work had started prior to the conflict and had to be postponed until it was safe enough for the workers to return

We sent Paterne additional funds--as we have said before, we promised Paterne that the shelter's dogs and cats will never go hungry as long as Animal-Kind International is able to help.

Paterne wrote to us, "Thank you so much for this payment! I am truly grateful for your continued support. I have noted that these funds are for food for the cats and dogs, as well as staff salaries as the top priorities. Thank you again for your trust and for everything you do for us."

Sadly, insecurity is still a big problem in eastern Congo. We look back at those few calm weeks in August and September and hope they return soon. At that time, dedicated volunteer Mugisho was able to return to the shelter (here's when I first met Mugisho):

Mugisho loves visiting the shelter, it's been a real hardship these past months that he's been unable to volunteer there.

Also in September, Monique returned to the shelter. She's been volunteering there since 2022. But with the war, she was no longer able to visit. During her September visit, she was reunited with Malou, and you can see the joy in her face and step. She didn't want to let him go and tears flowed as she hugged him. "With everything that has happened in South Kivu, so many human and animal lives have been lost. Those of us who are still here consider ourselves survivors. That's why every reunion stirs up so many emotions," Paterne said.