Uniquely Paws

Hope for Paws, Empowering Women, & Saving Lives

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We are so proud to introduce our progressive U.S. based 501(c)3 non-profit organization Uniquely Paws Limited, where women’s collectives and domestic animals meet! Our Innovative approach is the first of its kind. Uniquely Paws merges creativity and compassion to forge a future safe for our animals and communities. We empower women to craft for us unique animal-themed items to sell, we provide unique identifier, yellow rabies vaccine dog collars for traceability, we educate the children through Pet Care Coloring Books, and we sponsor free community spay/neuters to mitigate the mass poisoning of our roaming animals. Explore our site further and join us in leaving a lasting paw print on the journey to a safer, more harmonious world. All of our items are made from upcycled, recycled, or all natural materials.

Here's How it works

The Problem

The Problem

Roaming dog and cat overpopulation leads to rabies scare in our communities and unfortunately mass poisoning to cull the animals. The overpopulation of unmanaged, underserved stray dogs and cats in our communities leads to a heightened risk of rabies outbreaks, and other general public health issues. We do not want to lose another child to a rabies bite.

Empowering Women

Empowering Women

To combat this issue, we have devised a multifaceted solution. We are empowering local women's groups to produce a variety of animal-themed items, such as handmade crafts and merchandise, which help to raise our women and youth out of poverty, and will be sold to generate funds for our initiatives.

Our Funding Strategy

Our Funding Strategy

Our funding approach is multifaceted. We not only sell our handmade, crafted items at local markets and through online platforms, but we also actively seek support from donors who are passionate about animal welfare and community wellbeing.

Involving Children in Our Mission

Involving Children in Our Mission

At each clinic, we believe in the power of educating the younger generation in our community. We conduct school outreach programs, educating children on the importance of responsible pet ownership. Additionally, we provide children pet owners with engaging pet coloring books to show them how to care for their pets. We see children as potential catalysts for positive change in our communities.

Community Outreach

Community Outreach

To address the issue at its root, we sponsor free spay and neuter clinics to control the population of stray animals. Simultaneously, we offer free rabies vaccinations to thousands of pets, ensuring their safety and preventing rabies outbreaks

The Yellow Collar Initiative

The Yellow Collar Initiative

In our efforts to help track animals free from rabies, we have introduced the Yellow Collar Initiative. Every vaccinated animal is adorned with a yellow collar with a unique identifier number, made by our women’s collectives, which serves as a visible indicator of their vaccination status. This not only keeps the community informed but also ensures the safety of the animals.

One Health For All

In order to solve this problem of overpopulation, we use a creative approach to the worldwide concept of One Health: an approach calling for “the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment”.  Our free, community spay/neuter, vaccination and education clinics throughout Uganda do just that.

Expanding Our Reach

Once we have made a positive impact in one community, we actively seek out the next community in need of our support. We use an online tool supplied by Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) to identify gaps in our outreach matched to high risk areas.  By identifying and replicating successful models, we aim to extend our reach and mitigate the threat of rabies in even more places.

DID YOU KNOW…

Globally, 70% of around 700 million dogs are strays, a significant issue. In Uganda, there are over 1million dogs and cats, facing daily struggles and sometimes even violence. This highlights the urgent need for a solution.

Historically, the Ugandan government used poisoning to manage street animals and curb diseases like rabies. Unfortunately, this inhumane method often harms beloved pets and raises public health concerns. Shifting to humane alternatives through Uniquely Paws programs and raising awareness can lead to a cleaner, safer Uganda and a more compassionate human-animal coexistence.

homeless dogs in Kampala
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cats roam the streets of Kampala
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Get Involved

We operate as a fully transparent 501(c)3 charity organization based in the United States, relying on the support of the public and corporate CSR sponsorships.

Your donations, regardless of their size, make a significant impact. You can contribute as an individual today, or explore partnership opportunities to learn more.

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Welcome to Uniquely Paws...

where women artisans support animals in need for the sake of public health. We love animals, as maybe you do too. Our work it to ensure that we stop putting more animals into the already crowded streets by offering free spay and neuter clinics to as many neighborhoods as possible. If we don't do it, who will? Your support encourages us to keep going with our mission. Your monthly support would be greatly appreciated. Read further to find out more. We are told its ground-breaking.