Post a comment 
Household and stray dogs in parts of Freetown are receiving free medical treatment, sterilisation, and vaccination services under a week-long campaign being implemented by Compassionate Paws Sierra Leone (CPSL) in partnership with the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS).
The exercise, which commenced on Monday, June 22, is taking place along Lumley Road in the western area of Freetown and is expected to conclude on Friday, June 26. Organisers estimate that between 18 and 20 dogs, predominantly female dogs, are being treated each day.
The campaign focuses on spaying female dogs, castrating male dogs, and administering vaccinations as part of efforts to reduce the growing population of stray dogs and prevent the spread of rabies and other animal diseases.
Speaking during the exercise, Sarah Morris, Co-founder of Compassionate Paws International, said the organisation has been operating in Sierra Leone for more than five years, providing veterinary services and surgical treatments for domestic animals.
She explained that female dog sterilisation remains the organisation’s primary focus because controlling the breeding population is considered one of the most effective ways of reducing the number of stray dogs within communities.
According to Morris, male dogs account for a significant proportion of the dog population in Freetown, making the sterilisation of female dogs essential to managing population growth.
She added that although the organisation provides treatment for other domestic and farm animals, its current operations in Sierra Leone are concentrated in Freetown. She also noted that the organisation conducted a rabies vaccination campaign in Bo approximately two years ago.
Dr Mohamed Nasiru Jalloh of the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division of MAFS emphasised the importance of controlling the increasing dog population, particularly in urban areas where cases of rabies have become a growing concern.
He stated that the Ministry’s collaboration with CPSL is intended to provide technical support and oversight for the exercise while strengthening efforts to combat rabies, which has been identified as a major public health concern in Freetown.
Dr Sorie Hardey Bangura, a veterinary surgeon and coordinator of the CPSL project, disclosed that the organisation has treated and vaccinated more than 1,000 dogs in Freetown over the years as part of its ongoing animal welfare initiatives.
He said the organisation remains committed to the sterilisation and vaccination of both household and stray dogs to improve animal health and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
One of the beneficiaries, James Koroma, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Compassionate Paws Sierra Leone for the initiative, describing the services provided as beneficial to both pet owners and communities.
He appealed for the programme to be sustained and expanded to other parts of the country to address growing concerns surrounding stray dogs and animal health.
The campaign forms part of broader efforts by veterinary authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible pet ownership, control stray dog populations, and reduce the incidence of rabies in Sierra Leone.
