WAG – Rwanda’s Foster Shelter for Dogs

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

Did you know Kigali, Rwanda, has a dog rescue organization? It’s called WAG, and they’re changing the lives of abandoned/street puppies and local animal lovers throughout Kigali and abroad. We first learned of this organization in the winter of 2014 and added it to our must-visit locations in Rwanda.

We spent one afternoon visiting the WAG primary location and one afternoon visiting a foster home housing seven adorable puppies (all of whom are up for adoption). Both visits were a lot of fun, and we learned a bit more about this growing shelter.

WAG: The Organization

Ex-pat Frances Klinck founded WAG in 2013. Frances and her husband, Dan, were consistently rescuing puppies from the streets of Kigali and trying to find homes for them using local social media sites Living in Kigali and Kigali Life. As the homeless dog population grew, the Klinck’s recognized they would need to take even more initiative and create a formal organization to assist these animals. In other words, this couple took it upon themselves to save the street puppies of Kigali, educate and influence to change the current anti-dog local mindset, and they are doing a fantastic job of it.

Although most of their efforts are focused on rescuing puppies in need, they have supported a few adult dog rescues in the past. They are currently working on securing a larger shelter space and additional ways to obtain donations. Once the area has been found and confirmed, they can re-evaluate their adult dog rescue policy.

The Inner Workings of WAG

WAG is entirely run by volunteers and donations from the international public and receives $0 in any government or additional funding. They are in the process of becoming a registered organization. Once approved, they can apply for grant funding, but the funds may be minimal. They depend on your donations to save the growing population of puppies in Rwanda.

Currently, they have three volunteers – 2 managing adoptions and social media and one working to secure a new shelter space to help house the dogs needing homes. They also have three foster families hosting 11 puppies and one mother. The number of volunteers and foster homes available varies at any given time. WAG is continually looking for more volunteers and foster homes.

Overall, WAG has been positively received by its local community. Rwanda’s ideals were slowly changing, but it had been a place where animals were not seen as companions; instead, animals were only for protection or food. WAG is helping to educate the public and spread the word that dogs can make outstanding family members. They have had some resistance from those who do not understand why anyone would choose to help an animal when so many humans are in need. To those critics, please know that the WAG supporters value ALL life. They are simply helping animals AND helping people in other ways.

Here are Ways YOU Can Help WAG

WAG could use your support! Below are several ways you can help WAG save Rwanda’s street pups.

WAG Contact Info

• Visit their Website: WagRwanda.org
• Follow and share their Facebook: Facebook.com/WAGKigali
• Email WAG at wag.kigali@gmail.com
• Donate at PayPal using wag.kigali@gmail.com

Found a Stray Puppy – Contact WAG

If someone finds a stray puppy that needs help, they should take it in and email us to see if we have the capacity to take on the animal at that time. Usually, even if we don’t have an opening, we can provide advice on how to care for the puppy and will advertise it on our Facebook page to try to help find a home.

Donate to WAG

WAG loves donations of treats, dog toys, bedding, useable housing, leashes, and collars.

Donate Money at PayPal using wag.kigali@gmail.com

Any money donated goes towards the care of our dogs (boarding of some of our adults, medical care, and food) and will start going towards our shelter space once that is established.

Volunteer – Contact WAG

They are particularly in need of volunteers with the below skill sets:

Many people want to play with and walk the dogs. While that is helpful, and the pups love it, WAG appreciates volunteers who can help develop the organization. We appreciate people willing to help with communications and outreach (photographing the dogs, making fliers, promoting adoptions), fundraising, and institutional development (helping us put in place systems for tracking the dog’s care, helping us identify and set up a shelter space). The more volunteers we have, the more initiatives WAG can take on!

Want to Adopt – Contact WAG

There is no adoption fee, but WAG highly appreciates a donation that will at least cover the costs of initial vaccinations (estimated 12,000 – 30,000 Rfw or USD 16-42)

You don’t have to live in Kigali to adopt a needy dog. WAG has experience moving dogs throughout Rwanda and internationally. Contact WAG for logistics and pricing details.

Check their website for available dogs.

WAG Adoption Criteria:

1. The adopter must want to adopt the dog as a COMPANION dog, not a guard dog. This means that the dog must be loved and can’t be caged for most of its life.
2. The adopter must be willing to provide a forever home for the dog. This means that the adopter must be committed to the dog and not try to get rid of it if there is a problem they can address through training. If the adopter is an ex-pat, the dog should go with the owner when the adopter leaves the country and not be left behind.
3. The adopter has to be willing to spay or neuter the dog. WAG can provide local adopters with veterinarian referrals.
4. Additional information that will need to be provided by potential adopters: How will the dog be cared for? What will the dog be fed? Is everyone in the family & household comfortable with dogs? Where will the dog sleep? Will the dog receive medical care?

Although some specifics may have changed in the past year, you can find an exciting read about dog ownership in Kigali here.

Do you have a creative idea of how you can help WAG? Please share it in the comments.

See More Photos on Flickr, and Please look for us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!