Rescued April 2026 · Maun, Botswana
As told by McGyver
My name is McGyver. And this is my story.
The Moment I Almost Died
I escaped certain death — literally, as I was about to be shot with a poison dart. Stefanie from the Oister Foundation had come to my home range to bring me and my friends some food and water, a daily routine from the foundation. The situation turned intense very quickly when the police arrived and told her she was interfering with police business. The police were out culling every single Africanis on the streets. If an Africanis is not behind a fence, inside a yard, with a rabies certificate presented by the human they live with — they get killed. This is the campaign that is currently ongoing.
Stefanie’s Courage
Stefanie had no idea the police were there. She was simply going about her routine — bringing food and water, as charities do. The police interfered with her welfare work, not the other way around. We Africanis on the streets of Maun know this. The Oister Foundation doesn't ask permission or validation from anyone to bring us relief.
The police showed utter disgust as Stefanie showed affection to one of the elderly male dogs, who was in terrible condition. They shot him in front of her. Her ran as the dart pierced his fragile skin, his worn-out body from a tough life on the streets, collapsed. He had no rabies.
She made the wise decision not to engage with them. With tears running down her cheeks, she told them I was her dog, loaded me into the car, and drove off.
Why the Culling Is Happening
Let me give some context as to why the police are on a culling campaign. Recently, two children were attacked by dogs in Maun and died. The first case was a tragic story — the child could have been saved had the clinic had appropriate medical supplies, but they did not.
The government announced a rabies outbreak and declared that every dog without a rabies certificate, not kept behind closed fences, would be killed. The Maun Animal Welfare Society has been at the forefront of opposing this culling spree and suggested a more humane alternative, to do a mass rabies vaccination campaign instead. Local authorities do not agree; they prefer to kill.
There have been previous campaigns like this in Botswana, where dogs were shot in the same areas where humans live — and innocent humans have lost lives as a result. A woman in Maun was shot behind a bush, mistaken for a dog.
The Road to the Sanctuary
As we drove away, I positioned myself on the front seat next to Stefanie, looking out at the road ahead, heading towards the Oister Sanctuary. There was not enough space at the sanctuary at that time, so I was transported to a temporary location outside Maun, where I spent about a week while arrangements were made with the Maun Animal Welfare Society for my medical check-up.
I was taken to MAWS, where I was neutered. During my examination, they also discovered I have a tumor, and I was given chemotherapy treatment. I'm so grateful for the care I received from Carmen and her team at MAWS. They are true friends of the Africanis. MAWS is helping me recover from the tumor. Even if the cancer takes me, I was destined for certain death on the streets anyway. I have been given a lifeline.
I am currently at the Oister Sanctuary — they have space and resource constraints, but they have assured me that I am now in their loving care, and no one will take my life unless it happens naturally, as all organic life should end.
What We See That Humans Don’t
As the Africanis, we live a very nomadic lifestyle, but our lives are deeply intertwined with those of the humans in the settlements we roam. We see the humans more than they see us. We see the children from birth, we watch them grow up, and we see the moment they lose compassion for cruelty.
From our observation, they are kind and loving after birth — compassionate to other life. We see how they are introduced to cruelty towards the Africanis at their homes and communities. This is an accepted norm. It becomes ingrained in them, and suddenly there is a shift.
We see that shift. It is something dark that enters from another realm and chews away at the pureness of a soul. It is sad to witness. And that is why we will never leave the side of the humans — even when they cull us. They need love, not us. We love them.
We Are the Africanis
We are the Africanis — the aboriginal landrace dog of Africa. We have been part of African heritage since 5000 BCE. This culling spree will not be the end of us. It will not make us dislike the humans who kill us. It will only enhance our love and understanding of them. May kindness, compassion, and wisdom enter those who have lost the way. And so it is.
McGyver is now an ambassador for the Africanis™ brand and the Oister™ Foundation’s mission to protect and preserve the Canis Africanis — Africa’s aboriginal landrace dog. Every purchase from Africanis™ helps fund rescues like McGyver’s.