A man in Kibera who champions animal welfare and adoption initiatives.

In Kibera, many families face challenges in meeting their basic needs, making it hard to care for pets. As a result, pets are often neglected and left to fend for themselves, sometimes leading to aggressive behaviors for survival.

However, Arnold Ochieng, a resident, has taken on the responsibility not only to care for these animals but also to advocate for their rights. He shares his experiences with our reporter, Christabel Adhiambo, on how he brings hope to the neglected animals, giving them a second chance at finding a loving forever home.

Who is Arnold Ochieng?

Arnold Ochieng is a 28 years old youth born and raised in the informal settlements of Kibera. I am a professional animal welfare advocate and founder of Kibera Youth for Stray Animals (KYSA) which I began two years ago.

What does (KYSA) specialize in?

KYSA is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of animals, especially in a community settings. Our primary focus is on raising awareness about the welfare of domesticated animals as well as rescuing and sheltering stray animals, including cats and dogs, in need.

At our shelter, animals are provided with comprehensive care, including training, proper nutrition, and veterinary attention, as they await adoption into loving homes. Our adoption process is facilitated to ensure that these animals find caring and responsible owners. In addition to rescue and sheltering efforts, we actively promote and facilitate the sterilization of both dogs and cats to help manage their populations and reduce the number of strays.

What inspired you to begin the organization?                                           

After experiencing a period of grief, I decided to adopt my first dog from the streets to console myself despite the challenges of living in a community not accustomed to pet ownership. The dog became my companion as I found solace and comfort in our bond. Eager to share my experience I took to social media to share my journey with my companion and I got genuine animal lovers who resonated with my story. This newfound passion opened doors to unique opportunities, including receiving financial support for my education and establishing my own successful dog-walking business. However, while I appreciated these opportunities, my unwavering dedication to animal welfare ultimately steered me back towards advocacy work, where I felt I could make a more profound and lasting impact.

How do you distinguish stray dogs or feral cats and the ones that are domesticated?

Understanding the difference between stray dogs or feral cats and domesticated ones involves a thorough assessment, which includes in-depth research. Typically, stray dogs and feral cats are often found in dumping sites or near rivers (sewage) and may appear dirty and wounded. In serious cases, we rely on reports from community members. It’s important to note that due to limited funding, we are only able to accommodate stray dogs and feral cats with special and rare cases.

What do you mean when you say special and rare cases only?

By rare cases, I mean dogs that have been physically abused while trying to survive on the streets, as well as those suffering from diseases that are not well understood by the local community. One example is when we took in a dog with a canine transmissible venereal tumor, a cancerous disease that had severely impacted its reproductive system. The dog was showing symptoms such as unusual waste excretion, and unfortunately, some community members had resorted to physically abusing the dog due to their lack of understanding about the situation.

How many dogs and cats does the shelter contain at the moment?

At the moment, we have 22 dogs and 6 cats at the shelter which are yet to get their forever home. I believe each one of them will get someone to adopt them as they are well-trained and in good health.

Do you get any assistance in operating the shelter?

I have three volunteers; all of them volunteering on different days and times. They help to ensure the animals are not only fed but washed, trained, and even walked for their exercise. We wash the animals once a month and the rest of the days we brush them. Our organization has also established a partnership with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), who play a vital role in supporting us especially through the provision of veterinary services and assist us whenever we encounter difficulties.

Where do you get funds for the initiative?

When it comes to covering our additional expenses, we are grateful to receive financial support from passionate animal lovers who believe in our cause. We also leverage on social media channels for crowdfunding efforts. The dog walking also generates some income which is also used to sustain the organization.

What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered during your day-to-day line of work?

Caring for dogs presents the constant challenge of sourcing funds to cover their expenses and necessities. At times, you find yourself repeatedly delving into your resources to secure funds for dog food, rent, water, and electricity. Furthermore, residing in a community resistant to change requires us to navigate and manage the negative sentiments and hostility that we encounter with resilience and positivity.  Another challenge is witnessing traumatizing events in the line of work; there was a time we conducted a mercy killing of a dog who was abused to an extent where its inside organs were visible. We wanted to save it though the condition was very critical and the best resolution was putting her down in a humane way.

What are some notable achievements you’ve made so far?

Within the local area covered by KYSA, we’ve seen an increase in positivity in the community. People have not only embraced our initiative to care for and show love to stray dogs but have also refrained from the cruel act of abusing them. Moreover, we successfully addressed a long-standing challenge by constructing a bridge near a stream prone to flooding during rainy seasons. This has significantly improved the community’s mobility and our efforts have been greatly appreciated.

“What’s the broader vision of your organization in the coming years?

Our vision is to partner with adult animal welfare organizations to better the lives of street animals in the community while fostering healthier relationships between people and animals. Alongside this, our goal is to expand our branches within the informal settlements of Nairobi, step by step at a go.

What advice would you give people concerning animal wellness?

To simply be kind to animals, feed them, and avoid harming them. This will help us foster a healthier relationship between animals and people.