A local response to a visible problem
South Sterilisation & Welfare Campaign began with something very simple: seeing the same dogs, in the same places, every day — and realising no one else was coming to help them.
In the south of Mauritius, particularly around Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny, Beau Vallon, and nearby areas, stray dogs and cats are part of daily life. Tourists see them on the public beach. Locals pass them on the road, near shops, in sugarcane fields, and around homes. Some are fed. Many are not. New animals are abandoned regularly.
For a small group of residents living in these areas, looking away was no longer an option.
How it started
During and after Covid, members of our group began feeding and caring for the stray dogs living around Blue Bay beach and surrounding neighbourhoods. Over time, these dogs were no longer just “strays” — they had names, personalities, routines, and people who watched out for them.
But feeding alone wasn’t enough.
Without sterilisation, the cycle continued. Puppies appeared. Sick or injured animals were dumped where people knew they might survive. The problem grew faster than any one person could manage.
That’s when we decided to act — together.
In June 2024, South Sterilisation & Welfare Campaign was formed, allowing us to work together more intentionally and support the dogs of the south as a coordinated group.
We were formally registered as a nonprofit on 12th August 2025.
What we believe
We believe lasting change happens locally, bit by bit, and with consistency.
We don’t believe in quick fixes or one-off interventions. We believe that when people take responsibility for the place they live — even just a small corner of it — real change becomes possible.
If everyone chose to care for their own neighbourhood, the world would already look very different.
That belief is at the heart of everything we do.
What we do on the ground
Our work focuses on practical, long-term action, including:
- Regular feeding and monitoring of known stray dogs and cats
- Organising community sterilisation days with volunteer veterinary support
- Responding to injured, abandoned, or newly dumped animals
- Finding foster care and permanent homes when street life is not safe
- Educating locals, families, and children about basic pet care, sterilisation, and empathy for street animals
Sterilisation days are organised every few weeks when resources allow. With a single vet and limited funding, we can typically help around 15 animals per sterilisation day — prioritising known strays, urgent cases, and animals brought in by owners who want to do the right thing but lack the means.
It’s not glamorous work. It’s hands-on, emotional, and often exhausting — but it makes a real difference.
The people behind the work
We are a small, volunteer-led group made up of people who live in the areas we serve. This is not something we do from a distance — these are the dogs we pass every day, the cats we recognise, the places we call home.
Our team includes: Liz, Nadja, Peggy, Ella, Charne, Nelia, Margaret, Aurelie, Toviraaj, Ann, Stefanie
Each member contributes time, money, energy, skills, and heart — often quietly, always consistently.
WE ARE NOT EXPERTS. We are neighbours who care.
Why support local action
Large organisations do important work — but local groups like ours fill a crucial gap. We know the dogs by name. We know where animals are dumped. We know who needs help but is afraid to ask.
Your support helps us:
- Sterilise more animals
- Feed and monitor existing strays consistently
- Respond quickly to emergencies
- Keep going when resources are stretched
Even small contributions make a real impact when applied locally and thoughtfully.
A reason for hope
Despite the challenges, we see progress.
Dogs that once produced litter after litter are now sterilised. Puppies that would not have survived are safe. Attitudes are slowly changing. Conversations are happening. More people are stepping in to help.
Change doesn’t happen overnight — but it does happen.
And it starts right here.