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The Dziko Project began with a dream—and a question: what if we really could be the change we wanted to see for animals in need?
In 2017, while travelling through Malawi and Zambia, our founders, Sara Ortín León and Sharon Rose (Rosie), came face to face with the harsh reality of life for so many village and free-roaming dogs—thin, sick, and barely surviving. It was impossible to look away. We knew we had to do something. That experience stayed with us, quietly shaping what would become The Dziko Project.
In 2019, we turned that passion into meaningful action. We hosted Zambia’s first-ever mass sterilisation campaign. With the support of local vets, the Zambian University of Veterinary Medicine, and village leaders, we worked closely with communities who couldn’t afford veterinary care—sponsoring free sterilisation and rabies vaccination programs. The costs were covered through personal crowdfunding, a true grassroots effort driven by people who believed in the cause and wanted to make a real difference. We also helped build two outdoor enclosures at the local shelter, finally giving longterm dogs the space and comfort they’d gone without for years. That was only the beginning—but it showed us what was possible.
Since then, The Dziko Project has taken root in Sri Lanka, where the need remains just as urgent. Every day, our treatment programs are not only helping and healing street dogs and cats, but also supporting families who love their pets yet can’t afford veterinary care.
Our mission is simple: break the cycle of suffering. That means fewer unwanted litters, fewer rabies cases, and brighter futures for animals who might otherwise be forgotten.Every animal we reach is a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
In August 2022, we became an officially registered charity in Australia. That milestone allowed us to grow—building stronger partnerships with local vets, expanding our outreach, and reaching even more communities in need. It’s helped us respond faster, do more, and make a deeper impact.
Then, in January 2025, we proudly joined the global movement to End Rabies Now as a certified Rabies Centre of Excellence. It’s a big step, and it reflects our commitment to protecting both animals and people from this entirely preventable disease.
None of this would be possible without you. Your kindness, belief in our mission, and support—whether through donations, time, or simply sharing our story—mean everything.
We’re so proud of how far we’ve come. But more than that, we’re excited for what’s still ahead. If you’d like to support our work, you can donate here.
The Dziko Project began as a heartfelt mission driven by our founders, Sara Ortín León and Sharon Rose (Rosie), after witnessing the terrible conditions of street dogs during travels through Malawi and Zambia in 2017. This passion inspired us to take action.
In 2019, we hosted Zambia’s first mass sterilisation campaign and two more outreach campaigns working with local vets, the Zambian University of Veterinary Medicine, and communities in Northern Zambia. Additionally, we sponsored the construction of 2 outdoor enclosures for the local animal welfare shelter for their long-term animals for behaviour enrichment and social wellbeing.
In 2019, we held Zambia’s first-ever mass sterilisation campaign, followed by two more outreach programs. We collaborated with local vets, the Zambian University of Veterinary Medicine, and local communities in Northern Zambia.
We also funded the construction of two outdoor enclosures for long-term animals at the local shelter, providing essential enrichment and improving their well-being.
Since then, we’ve continued our lifesaving work in Sri Lanka. Through our sterilisation, vaccination, and treatment programs, we are helping street dogs and supporting disadvantaged families who can’t afford vet care for their pets. Our mission is to end the cycle of unwanted litters, prevent the spread of rabies and disease, and ultimately improve the lives of dogs and cats who otherwise suffer from hunger, illness, and injury. It breaks our hearts to see animals endure so much, but it fuels our drive to make a difference.
In August 2022, The Dziko Project was officially registered as a charity in Australia. This step has allowed us to expand our programs, partner with more local vets, and launch more outreach campaigns—preventing rabies, disease, and animal abandonments while supporting the communities we care about.
We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from our donors and supporters. Your generosity makes our work possible, and we cannot thank you enough. Together, we’re transforming and saving the lives of thousands of animals each year.