If we don't act RIGHT NOW, thousands of unwanted kittens will be born, get sick, suffer and die.

In the historic, rural town of Lamu East, Kenya, around 10,000 homeless cats and kittens face a relentless struggle for survival. Reduced to skin and bones from severe starvation and suffering from debilitating diseases and agonizing injuries, this is the tragic, inescapable reality of their daily lives…

Starving cats scavenge for occasional scraps from fishermen, tourists and garbage dumps, but with the street cat population growing every day, there is never enough food. With no interest from the authorities and no shelters or veterinary clinics in the area, disease runs rampant and the cats breed unchecked, leading to an explosion of unwanted kittens born into harsh, miserable lives on the streets.

The cats of the Lamu archipelago, genetically isolated due to their island environment, are known for their distinctive features – long legs, slim bodies, whip-like tails and small heads, closely resembling the sacred cats of ancient Egypt. In fact, many believe these cats might actually be descendants of the Egyptian cats first domesticated some 4,000 years ago!

It is absolutely heartbreaking to see these once-revered creatures in such tragic circumstances. As cat-lovers, we must do everything possible to save them from further suffering. Please, will you help us?

Sterilization is critical to save thousands of cats in Lamu East from the appalling overpopulation crisis. The sad truth is that few people in Kenya care and the government certainly does not. It’s up to animal-lovers like you and I to care for these vulnerable animals.

In 2021, NFA launched a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, and thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we successfully sterilized a staggering 2,000 street cats. 

But our work is far from over! To fully stabilize the population, we urgently need to sterilize at least 70% of Lamu East’s suffering street cats.

Lamu is an island only reachable by boat, which means that once we get the situation under control, with routine management, it will stay under control. Our local team of vets is ready to resume sterilizations immediately, IF we can raise the critically needed funds for veterinary supplies, medicines and transport. 

There is no time to waste! We must kickstart our next TNR program as soon as possible. The sooner we start, the fewer unwanted kittens will be born into lives of unnecessary, abject suffering. 

Not only does sterilization reduce overpopulation, but once sterilized, the animals are far less likely to develop deadly diseases and infections, fight amongst each other and get badly injured, or roam into dangerous situations. 

Our program is working. We are already seeing far healthier cats in areas where our TNR campaigns have taken place. We’re also changing attitudes; the concept of sterilization was initially rejected by the community because of deep-rooted cultural beliefs, but through respectful sensitization by our team, locals have been swayed in our (and the animals’) favor. 

We fight for all creatures, great and small, and right now, we really need your support to give the iconic, beautiful cats of Lamu the compassion and care they deserve.

Please donate to Network for Animals today and help us provide vulnerable street cats with the best possible chance at happier, healthier lives. Your generosity will give thousands of cats hope for a brighter future.

For the animals,

Gloria Davies (and Max and Flora!)
CEO and Founder
Network for Animals

P.S. Right now, the most urgent need is mass sterilization to prevent more unwanted kittens from being born into lives of terrible suffering. Please help provide a brighter future for cats by donating today.

Banner credit: NFA/Dan Snyders