"For a Future Where All Animals Are Safe, Loved, and Free"
Hanano Animals Welfare Organization (HAWO) is committed to saving animals from cruelty and neglect across Jubaland State, Somalia, through rescue, rehabilitation, and community education, with ambitions to expand throughout Somalia.
Learn about our journey, mission, and the dedicated team working to protect animals in Jubaland, Somalia
Hanano Animals Welfare Organization (HAWO) is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-political organization established in 2017 in response to the growing number of stray, abused, and neglected animals across Somalia.
It was officially registered in 2020 and has since become a driving force for animal protection, ethical treatment, and community education. HAWO was founded by a group of passionate animal welfare advocates determined to change the lives of animals through rescue, rehabilitation and rights-based advocacy.
The organization operates with a grassroots approach, ensuring that interventions are community driven and sustainable. HAWO's work extends across Jubaland, Somalia, with ambitions to scale across Somalia, contributing to animal welfare standards, policy reform, and public awareness.
"For a Future Where All Animals Are Safe, Loved, and Free"
To build a compassionate society where animals are respected, protected, and live free from cruelty, suffering, and neglect.
HAWO is committed to saving animals from cruelty and neglect, promoting animal rights, advocating for stronger animal protection policies, and fostering humane communities through rescue operations, public education, and community engagement.
The principles that guide everything we do
Every life matters; we serve with empathy and understanding for all creatures.
Transparency and honesty guide all our actions and decision-making processes.
We collaborate with communities and stakeholders for lasting, sustainable change.
We treat all creatures and communities with dignity and understanding.
We are fully committed to the welfare and protection of animals.
Measurable impact in animal welfare across Somalia since our establishment
Working animals (donkeys) provided with veterinary care and equipment
Livestock and animal farming support provided across Somalia
Wildlife rescued, rehabilitated, and successfully released back to nature
Students reached through animal welfare and empathy education programs
Sea turtles and lobsters rescued and released back to the ocean
Animal farming families supported with resources and training
Animals rescued, treated, and successfully released
Stray cats and dogs fed and supported through outreach
Comprehensive animal welfare services designed to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect animals across Somalia
Active rescues in urban and rural areas with immediate medical attention, safe shelter, and ongoing rehabilitation for animals in need
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Educational programs in schools, communities, and religious institutions promoting animal welfare awareness and compassion
Environmental protection activities, educating fishing communities about endangered marine species and anti-poaching efforts
Comprehensive veterinary services for sheep, goats, and cattle including vaccinations, disease treatment, and nutritional guidance for farming communities. We also support poultry farms, camel monitoring, and drought relief for cattle.
Real stories of hope, recovery, and positive impact in our community
HAWO volunteer Adam Abdullahi providing regular nutrition to street dogs throughout Hodan district in Mogadishu. This ongoing program demonstrates our commitment to caring for all animals, including those living on the streets, through compassionate feeding and trust-building activities in Somalia's capital city.
This beautiful gray and white tabby was found wandering in a residential area. After receiving care at our shelter, including proper nutrition and medical attention, the cat is now thriving in a safe environment while waiting for adoption into a loving home.
Adam Abdullahi's patient approach to feeding street dogs in Mogadishu's Hodan district has created lasting bonds with the animals. Through regular feeding rounds in these communities, we're not only providing nutrition but also building the trust necessary for future rescue and medical interventions.
These two precious kittens were found abandoned and have been inseparable ever since their rescue. Through our comprehensive care program, they've grown healthy and strong, demonstrating the importance of keeping bonded pairs together during rehabilitation.
HAWO's dedicated team providing essential medical care to working donkeys in Afgoye, just outside Mogadishu. On June 22, 2025, our veterinary team conducted comprehensive health checks, wound care, and infection treatment for these vital animals that support local transportation and livelihoods. This outreach demonstrates HAWO's commitment to protecting all animals, including the working animals that are essential to Somalia's rural communities.
Have you adopted from HAWO or witnessed our rescue work? We'd love to hear from you and share your experience.
11 Jul 2025 • Kismayo
HAWO equipped new and existing volunteers with humane animal-care skills. Led by Mr. Abdullahi Adan Warfa, the workshop covered fieldwork ethics, safe handling, community outreach, and a special focus on working animals.
22 Jun 2025 • Hodan District, Mogadishu
HAWO volunteers, including Adam Abdullahi, fed dozens of homeless dogs across Hodan—showcasing our ongoing commitment to animal welfare in Somalia’s capital.
28 Oct 2025 • Kismayo
The HAWO team visited Mustaqbal Primary School in Kismayo to lead an interactive animal welfare workshop. We spent the session teaching students about empathy, the sentience of animals, and how to protect all species in our community. By bringing these lessons into the classroom, we are nurturing a future generation of young advocates dedicated to treating every living being with dignity and respect.
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28 Oct 2025 • Afmadow, Jubaland
Working animals are the backbone of rural livelihoods in Afmadow. HAWO's dedicated mobile team provides essential veterinary services, including wound care, vaccinations, and owner education. By ensuring the health of these donkeys, we are supporting the families who depend on them and promoting a culture of compassion in underserved areas.
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