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 long-term 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.