Amsale Gessess Memorial Foundation, Non-Human Animals

Non-human animals are sentient beings that co-exist with human beings in an interdependent ecosystem that all life depends on -- including our own. Treating them with dignity and respect is not only morally and ethically right but also essential for our future survival.

The Amsale Gessesse Memorial Foundation is deeply committed to the prevention and alleviation of suffering of domestic, especially homeless, animals and the protection of wildlife in Africa beginning in Ethiopia and working outward through the continent. In the United States, the Foundation is involved in the rescue of abused and stray dogs in the greater metropolitan area of Houston, Texas (Homeless Animals in Houston, Texas.)

As in the rest of the world, the lives of the people of Ethiopia are intertwined with the lives of the non-human animals, both domestic and wild. As in much of the rest of Africa, due to poverty, ignorance, internal and external strife, overpopulation, human cruelty, and cultural mores, many domestic animals suffer from poor care and abuse, and the continued reduction of natural habitat is has already endangered the survival of many species of wildlife and put them in peril of becoming extinct.

Domestic animals include dogs and cats, horses, donkeys, and cattle. Horses and donkeys which are used as work animals are generally malnourished and over-worked, often carrying burdens that are much too heavy. Dogs, which in western society are considered pets, are allowed to roam about freely and must forage for their own food, eating refuse, human waste, rodents, and other small animals. Unwanted animals are turned out and run off or placed in pits and left to die. Only a few receive preventative medicine or are neutered or spayed to prevent the increase of unwanted animals. This is the case in both urban and rural areas of the country. Many of these animals, particularly dogs, are infected with diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, and parvovirus posing a threat to human and non-human animals alike. Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of rabies in the world. Homeless Animals in Ethiopia

The wide range of Ethiopian landscape from hot, dry flatlands to rolling hills and fertile highlands to savannas and mountains provides the habitat for a wide variety of exotic and colorful plants and wildlife. The 107 species of wildlife listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered include such highly familiar species as the Ethiopian Lion, African Elephant, and the Ethiopian Wolf as well as less familiar species such as the Mountain Nyala, and the Walia Ibex. Previous over-hunting of popular species such as the lion and elephant, the continued encroachment of civilization and destruction of the natural environment, and the spread of disease from domestic to wild animals are among the major threats to the continuing existence of many species.

The courses of action being embarked upon are 1) working with government organizations to continue and expand veterinary services for domestic animals and humane care programs for homeless animals and eventually establish an AGMF facility; 2) improving national wildlife preserves in ways that benefit local communities by creating jobs and improving infrastructures.