The Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA) continues to offer various training on animal welfare to the Malawi Police Services officers and community leaders in and around Lilongwe as one way of promoting the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act.

Since March this year, the LSPCA has trained community policing officers, Criminal Investigative police officers and community leaders on animal protection and the law. The training focus on the duties, roles and responsibilities of the police and community leaders in preventing the sufferings and abuse of live animals sold along the streets. 

Live animals being sold along the streets are subjected to cruelty and abuse which is illegal according to the laws of Malawi, Animal Protection Act of 1970. Animals suffer cruelty and abuse when any of their 5 freedoms are violated; freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, and diseases, freedom to express normal behaviour, and freedom from fear and distress.

Besides the training, the LSPCA is also raising awareness of the general public that it is illegal and cruel to sell animals along the streets, raising awareness about the sufferings animals undergo when being sold along the streets, raising awareness about the dangers people get exposed to when buying animals from the streets, such as Rabies and other diseases, and raising awareness about the safe outlets to get pets.

Puppies and kittens sold along the streets suffer unspeakable ill-treatments and abuse. They are exposed to extreme weather conditions, suffer from severe dehydration, malnutrition and are taken away from their mothers before they are capable of opening their eyes.

Considering that vendors sell pets to earn a living, the LSPCA is working with the Department of Animals Health and Livestock Development, the Lilongwe City Council, and pet vendors to find lasting solutions that will help vendors at the same time protect animals from cruelty and abuse. The LSPCA has had several trainings with pet vendors leaders and other stakeholders on animal welfare.