In the bustling streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the plight of stray dogs has found an unlikely champion in Feven Melese, a 29-year-old music graduate turned animal rights activist. Amid the cacophony of urban life, Melese’s soft whistle resonates as she tends to the city’s forgotten canines. Her modest shelter on the outskirts of the capital provides refuge for 40 dogs, while she feeds an additional 700 weekly. Over the past two years, Melese has successfully rehomed more than 300 dogs, challenging the traditional Ethiopian view of dogs as mere protectors rather than cherished companions. As Addis Ababa’s skyline transforms with new high-rises, the city’s estimated 200,000 stray dogs face dwindling spaces to roam. Many are abandoned by owners relocating to pet-restricted apartments, exacerbating the crisis. Authorities, grappling with rabies outbreaks, have faced backlash for poisoning strays ahead of major events. Melese’s shelter, though rudimentary, offers solace to injured dogs like Konjit, who wears a neck brace after surviving a road accident. Her childhood compassion for strays has blossomed into a lifelong mission, supported by fellow activists like Luna Solomon and Biruk Dejene. Together, they advocate for humane solutions, including mass vaccinations, sterilization programs, and adoption incentives. Despite limited resources, Melese remains steadfast in her efforts to reshape societal attitudes and secure a brighter future for Addis Ababa’s canine population.
Abandoned dogs in Ethiopia’s capital get little care. A woman wants to change that
