Bringing Health to Rural Communities, One Clinic at a Time
Spay/neuter is key to sustainable animal and community welfare — everywhere.
International Veterinary Outreach (IVO) partner Tanzania Animal Welfare Society (TAWESO) steps in to support local rural communities. They operate spay/neuter clinics that are transforming the relationship between people and animals.
TAWESO Executive Director Dr. Thomas W. Kahema has experienced the gratitude communities show the team, as well as the quiet satisfaction of reaching people who would otherwise have no access to veterinary care at all.
“Mobilizing a community starts with simple, direct communication,” says Kahema.
The TAWESO team travels ahead of each clinic with speakers and small posters, announcing the location, date, and time. Local government leaders help spread the word, building trust and encouraging families to bring their animals in. The approach works: a typical clinic now treats an average of 10 dogs and cats per day.
Behind each clinic is a dedicated team with people like Registered Veterinary Technician Jessica Bogosian, who served as a Program Coordinator with IVO’s Tanzania program during the 2022 and 2024 activations. Local veterinary university students also support clinics while completing field attachments.
But the work isn't without obstacles.
“We occasionally experienced power outages during clinics, which requires flexibility and contingency planning,” says Bogosian.
Heavy rains can leave rural roads nearly impassable, delaying teams trying to reach remote villages. And demand sometimes spreads to new areas faster than the program can plan for.
Still, the rewards outweigh the challenges, and the impact is lasting.
“One of my strongest memories from Tanzania is meeting people who deeply cared for their dogs despite living in circumstances very different from those in the United States,” Bogosian said.
“These clinics are about much more than the animals treated during a single trip. By training veterinary students, supporting local partners, and expanding access to companion animal medicine, the program is helping create a future where communities can continue this work independently.”
As Dr. Kahema puts it, “We see how desperate people are to access veterinary services for their animals, so we feel the weight of providing meaningful support.”
IVO Founder and CEO Eric Eisenman emphasizes the broader public health significance of the work. “Spay/neuter efforts not only help control animal populations, but they break the cycle of disease transmission between animals and people. Both are critical public health wins.”
TAWESO and IVO are proving that compassion and consistency can change the future for animals and the people who care for them.
Want to help?
Just $10 neuters a cat, $15 spays a cat, $20 neuters a dog, and $30 spays a dog.
Join IVO, Dr. Kahema, and the TAWESO team in expanding access to veterinary care.
Donate today to help animals and communities thrive.
Learn more about IVO’s programs.
Families in rural Tanzania bring their dogs for veterinary care.
