Why Our Work Matters

From 1986 to 2006, the Acholi people of Northern Uganda were terrorized by the war between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government. The LRA abducted more than 30,000 children who were forced to serve in the rebel army. In 1996, the Ugandan government required the people of Northern Uganda to leave their homes and villages and enter government-run camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). These camps were reportedly created for the safety of the people, but the camps were rife with disease and violence. At the height of the conflict, 1.7 million people lived in these camps across the Northern Uganda region. The conditions were terrible and there was no way to make a living. An entire generation was born and raised in these unimaginable conditions.

The 20-year war was also a terrible time for dogs and other animals. Because of the total lack of veterinary care, zoonic diseases such as rabies became widespread. Injured and sick dogs either lived or they died, but they never had access to veterinary care. In the aftermath of the war, some people in remote villages were not even aware that there were doctors for animals.

Just as people have struggled in the years following the war, dogs also continued to suffer. Because dogs are primarily responsible for transmission of rabies to humans, many people fear dogs. Dog are still chased away, stoned, and have boiling water poured on them due to this fear. Before The BIG FIX, dog guardians coped with challenges of dog reproduction, parasite infestation, traumatic injuries, and disease, without any hope of getting help for the dogs living among them.

The BIG FIX is Changing Lives and Communities

  • Preventing Disease and Overpopulation

    The BIG FIX village clinics offer free rabies vaccinations, deworming, and spay/neuter.

    While it may appear that many dogs are homeless, our experience is that most dogs are claimed by guardians who bring them to our mobile clinics.

  • Hospitalization and Surgery

    Since October 2016, The BIG FIX Uganda has operated the region's only veterinary hospital. Our caring team saves lives and reduces suffering every day. No animal is turned away for lack of money.

  • Promoting the Human-Animal Bond

    Injured dogs were previously left to suffer and die on the side of the road. Thanks to BIG FIX's long term presence and effective education programs, dogs are being brought to the hospital rather than ignored. Dogs are receiving the respect and care that they deserve.

Challenges Facing Dogs

  • Overpopulation

    Overpopulation

    A female dog will often have her first litter when she is barely a year old, creating more suffering and increasing the burden of communities overwhelmed by roaming dogs.

  • Disease

    Many dogs die from parvo virus, tick fever, and other diseases. Rabies also continues to kill dogs and people in Northern Uganda and rabies outbreaks terrorize communities.

  • Cruelty

    Unwanted dogs are often chased away using cruel and inhumane tactics. Dogs are doused with boiling water, stoned, poisoned, and beaten.

  • Wounds

    Untreated wounds become necrotic, resulting in suffering and death.

  • Parasites

    Parasites

    Fleas, ticks, mites (which cause mange), mango fly larvae, and internal parasites cause immense suffering and can ultimately cause death.

  • Starvation

    Dogs are often left to fend for themselves, competing with other animals for limited food, and resulting in suffering from the pain of starvation.

We need your help to carry out our work.

Please Donate and learn more about how you can be part of The BIG FIX Team.