The November 2025 Animalia Mafia Island veterinary campaign, which ran from November 12th to November 30th, was a high-impact mission that achieved a record-breaking number of procedures and reached a wider range of communities than ever before.
Campaign Impact & Record Achievements
This mission provided essential care to a total of 454 animals, setting new records for the project:
- Sterilizations and Vaccinations: 317 animals were neutered/spayed, vaccinated against Rabies, and treated for endoparasites.
- Dogs: 276 (160 females, 116 males).
- Cats: 41 (29 females, 12 males).
- Preventative Care: 131 Rabies booster vaccinations were administered to animals previously sterilized in earlier campaigns.
- Specialized Medical Care: 31 dogs underwent special surgeries, while 6 received other specialized treatments. The team also provided grooming and anti-parasitical treatments for many others.
Surgical Milestones
The technical achievements of this campaign were particularly noteworthy:
- The 300th Milestone: The team celebrated their 300th sterilization of the mission while working in the agricultural area of Lola.
- Smallest Patients: The team successfully operated on their smallest surgical patients to date—a litter of very young puppies. Dr. Joshua Sinyaeli Mbise was specifically noted for his skill and patience in placing intravenous cannulas in these tiny patients.
- Complex Procedures: Beyond routine spaying and neutering, the 31 special surgeries addressed life-threatening conditions, including tumors and severe wounds caused by machetes or ropes.
Locations and Schedule
The campaign utilized mobile outreach clinics to ensure access for remote communities:
- Utende and Marimbani: Based at Eco Shamba Kilole Lodge (ESK).
- Kilindoni: Held at Bustani Lodge and surrounding areas.
- Tumbuju: A two-day clinic held at the home of Mr. Mohamed and by the seashore.
- Kanga and surroundings: Hosted at the farm of Mr. Justin Jeron.
- Bweni: Outreach conducted in an abandoned classroom.
- Jimbo, Futa, Kipuka, and Jangwani: Multi-day operations covering these central regions.
- Chunguruma: Dedicated village outreach.
- Vunjanazi and Usewe: Hosted at the farm of Mr. Baraka Manjiare.
- Baleni and Kirongwe: Extensive outreach in these northern-central villages.
- Juani Island and Chole Island: Targeted assistance for neighboring island communities.
- Lola (Lola Forest): Final day of operations in this agricultural zone.
Professional Team
The success of this mission was driven by a large, collaborative team:
- Veterinarians: Dr. Susan Irene Bell (Team Leader), Dr. Richard Ian Matthews, Dr. Susan Jane Mackey, Dr. Joshua Sinyaeli Mbise, and Dr. Lusajo Vanance Mwaikambo.
- Nurses & Para-Vets: Deborah Jane Thomson, Prosper Godbless Munuo, and Gasper Malya.
- Support: Managed by Dr. Francesca Bensa, with assistants Rocky Matteru, Justine Jeron, Hatibu Makungu, and Baraka Manjare.
Future Outlook
As the project prepares for 2026, the focus is on the official registration of Animalia Mafia Island as an NGO and the establishment of a permanent veterinary clinic. This campaign further proved that humane population control is the only effective way to eliminate Rabies and foster harmony between the community and the environment.
