OIPA in Cameroon
Who We Are
OIPA’s work in Cameroon is carried out through its local team, represented by Mr Che Gilbert Ayunwi, OIPA Cameroon Representative.
OIPA Cameroon was officially recognised by the Government of Cameroon and by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization on 13 January 2017. Its objectives include the defence of animal rights, the improvement of animal health and the protection of the environment.
OIPA Cameroon is committed to protecting animals from cruelty, neglect and exploitation, while supporting communities and promoting the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Its work is rooted in cooperation with local communities, civil society organisations, veterinary professionals, traditional leaders, institutions and public authorities.
In Cameroon, animal welfare is closely connected to wider social, environmental and public health challenges. Companion animals, stray animals, working animals, farmed animals and wildlife may all face different forms of suffering, including neglect, lack of veterinary care, poor handling, abandonment, exploitation, habitat loss and limited public awareness.
Through its local presence, OIPA supports a community-based and preventive approach, promoting compassion, responsibility and practical action for animals across the country.
“Protecting animals means supporting communities, strengthening responsibility and conserving the natural world we all share.”
Che Gilbert Ayunwi, OIPA Cameroon Country Coordinator
Our Mission in Cameroon
OIPA’s mission in Cameroon is to protect and improve the welfare of animals through rescue, veterinary care, education, advocacy and community engagement.
The work focuses on promoting humane treatment, preventing cruelty and neglect, strengthening access to animal health support, encouraging responsible animal care and raising awareness of the links between animal welfare, public health, biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
Through its local representative and team, OIPA aims to build stronger cooperation between communities, veterinarians, civil society, institutions and public authorities, with the goal of creating long-term and sustainable solutions for animals in need.
What We Do
OIPA in Cameroon works across several areas of animal protection, including companion animal welfare, stray animal care, working animal welfare, wildlife conservation, vaccination and outreach campaigns, mobile veterinary support, education and community awareness.
The work includes responding to urgent cases of animal abuse, neglect or injury; supporting veterinary treatment and vaccination campaigns; promoting responsible care for dogs, cats and other domestic animals; protecting endangered wildlife; and engaging communities in animal welfare and conservation education.
A key part of this work is community involvement. By working directly with local people, schools, veterinary professionals, volunteers and community leaders, OIPA Cameroon seeks to create practical and sustainable change rooted in local realities.
“Animal welfare is not only about responding to suffering. It is about preventing it through education, care and collective responsibility.”
Challenges and Our Response
Animal welfare in Cameroon is affected by several interconnected challenges, including limited access to veterinary care in some areas, lack of resources, low public awareness, cruelty and neglect, disease prevention needs, poor welfare conditions for working and farmed animals, and threats to wildlife and natural habitats.
Stray dogs and cats may suffer from abandonment, preventable diseases, injuries and lack of regular care. Working animals such as donkeys and horses may be exposed to overwork, poor handling, inadequate nutrition and untreated health problems. Farmed animals may face welfare concerns linked to housing, handling, disease prevention and lack of awareness of their needs as sentient beings. Wildlife is also affected by habitat loss, pollution, illegal hunting and human pressure on ecosystems.
OIPA’s response in Cameroon combines direct action, veterinary support, awareness, prevention and collaboration. Through education, rescue, vaccination campaigns, community outreach, veterinary networking and conservation initiatives, OIPA Cameroon works to reduce suffering and promote a more humane relationship between people, animals and the environment.
Main Areas of Activity
Education and Community Engagement
Education is central to OIPA’s work in Cameroon.
Through community outreach and awareness activities, OIPA Cameroon promotes knowledge of animal welfare, responsible care, humane treatment and conservation. These initiatives aim to reach children, young people, families, animal owners and community members, helping them understand animals’ needs and the importance of preventing cruelty and neglect.
By strengthening awareness at community level, OIPA seeks to encourage long-term behavioural change and build a culture of compassion and responsibility towards animals.
Rescue and Emergency Response
OIPA Cameroon responds to urgent cases involving animals affected by abuse, neglect, injury or distress.
Rescue and emergency response activities aim to provide immediate support to animals in need, connect cases with veterinary professionals where possible, and mobilise local volunteers and community members to act when animals are at risk.
This area of work is essential in situations where animals require rapid intervention, treatment, shelter, protection or follow-up care.
Stray Animal Care and Population Control
Stray dogs and cats are among the animals most exposed to suffering in many communities.
OIPA Cameroon works to improve the welfare of stray animals through awareness, care, population control efforts, veterinary support and community involvement. The aim is to reduce abandonment, prevent avoidable suffering and encourage humane solutions that protect both animals and communities.
Responsible pet ownership, vaccination, sterilisation where possible and public education are key elements of this approach.
Vaccination and Outreach Campaigns
Vaccination and outreach campaigns are an important part of animal welfare and public health.
OIPA Cameroon supports efforts to prevent disease, improve access to animal health services and raise awareness among animal owners and communities. These activities help protect animals from preventable illnesses while also contributing to safer and healthier communities.
Through coordinated campaigns and local engagement, OIPA Cameroon promotes prevention as a practical and humane tool for animal welfare.
Mobile Veterinary Clinics
OIPA Cameroon promotes mobile veterinary support to bring animal health care closer to communities and animals in need.
Mobile veterinary activities can help reach areas where access to veterinary services is limited, providing treatment, vaccination, basic care, emergency response and guidance to animal owners.
This approach is particularly important in rural and underserved areas, where animals may otherwise remain without medical attention.
Working Animal Welfare
Working animals, including donkeys, horses and other animals used in rural livelihoods, play an important role in many communities but may also face serious welfare challenges.
OIPA Cameroon promotes better care for working animals through awareness, veterinary support, humane handling, proper nutrition, disease prevention and improved living conditions.
This work aims to reduce suffering while supporting communities that depend on animals for transport, agriculture and livelihoods.
Humane Treatment of Farmed Animals
OIPA Cameroon also promotes the humane treatment of farmed animals, recognising them as sentient beings deserving dignity, protection and compassionate care.
The work focuses on preventing cruelty, neglect and avoidable suffering among animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, donkeys and horses. Through outreach, education and veterinary support, OIPA Cameroon encourages humane handling, better nutrition, disease prevention and improved housing conditions.
While farmed animals are part of rural livelihoods in Cameroon, OIPA promotes higher welfare standards, ethical treatment and long-term cultural change to reduce suffering.
Wildlife Protection and Conservation
Cameroon is home to rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, but many species are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, illegal hunting and human pressure on natural ecosystems.
OIPA Cameroon works to promote wildlife protection and conservation through awareness, community engagement, advocacy and support for initiatives that safeguard endangered species and their habitats.
A key example is the campaign to protect Cameroon’s Goliath Frog, the world’s largest frog, which is threatened by habitat degradation, pollution and illegal hunting. Through education, volunteer mobilisation and advocacy, OIPA Cameroon seeks to support the protection of rivers, wetlands and forests where this species lives.
Environmental Protection
Animal welfare, wildlife conservation and environmental protection are deeply connected.
OIPA Cameroon promotes the protection of ecosystems that provide food, water, shelter and livelihoods for animals and people. Healthy environments are essential for domestic animals, wildlife and human communities alike.
By encouraging sustainable environmental practices and working with local communities, OIPA Cameroon supports a broader vision of animal protection that includes biodiversity, habitat conservation and responsible coexistence.
Our Impact and Future Goals
Through its work in Cameroon, OIPA is building a growing platform for animal protection, veterinary collaboration, community education and wildlife conservation.
Its activities bring together local communities, veterinarians, volunteers, institutions, civil society and international supporters around a shared goal: reducing animal suffering and promoting a more compassionate society.
Looking ahead, OIPA Cameroon aims to strengthen its veterinary network, expand outreach and vaccination campaigns, support rescue and emergency response, promote humane treatment of companion, working and farmed animals, and continue developing conservation initiatives for Cameroon’s wildlife and ecosystems.
“A more compassionate future for animals begins with education, care and action rooted in local communities.”
Contact
For further information about OIPA’s activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, please contact:
OIPA International
OIPA CAMEROON
cameroon@oipa.org
