Voices for Animals in Mongolia

Mission

Paws Mongolia is a nonprofit organization working to promote humane and responsible care for animals in Mongolia through research-informed approaches, public awareness, and collaborative partnerships.

While our values are universal, current programs focus on Mongolia’s companion-animal welfare challenges, supporting local shelters and volunteer networks through education, outreach, and coordinated assistance.

 

Mongolia’s extreme winters — reaching -40°C — combined with cultural norms and economic pressures, contribute to heightened welfare risks for free-roaming companion animals.

These conditions make survival difficult and increase exposure to hunger, injury, and preventable suffering, especially for animals living without consistent care or shelter.

The most serious welfare risks occur in rural areas and peri-urban ger districts, where access to vaccination, sterilization, basic veterinary care, and shelter support remains limited.

Mongolia’s evolving companion-animal welfare challenges reflect an accountability gap shaped by informal ownership practices, cultural norms, and economic pressures.

When free-roaming is socially accepted and responsibility is diffuse, neglect becomes less visible and harder to prevent.

Our Approach

Research & Documentation: Documenting implementation gaps and promoting practical approaches that prevent harm to animals.

Public Education & Outreach: Strengthening community awareness and encouraging responsible care through structured messaging and engagement.

Partner Coordination: Supporting local actors through coordination, planning, and capacity-building.

Two men are unloading gear from a black hybrid vehicle outdoors, with one man wearing a face mask and a baseball cap while the other is dressed in a gray jacket. The background includes a partially covered outdoor structure, miscellaneous containers, and a cloudy sky.

Community Awareness Campaigns

Paws Mongolia implements public-awareness signage initiatives in Ulaanbaatar and other high-priority communities.

Messages are placed in high-visibility public areas to promote responsible care and improve the safety and humane treatment of free-roaming dogs and cats.

Research Partnerships & Field Learning

Paws Mongolia welcomes collaboration with students, scholars, and researchers interested in animal welfare and the changing human–animal relationship across Mongolia.

We support learning and research that explore how cultural change, urbanization, environmental conditions, and economic pressures are shaping the lives of both companion animals and wildlife in urban and rural communities.

We are particularly interested in projects that help understand real-world challenges such as stray dog and cat populations, public awareness, local resources, and the practical implementation of Mongolia’s Pet Law.

Our work provides field-based perspectives and local insight into everyday conditions that influence animal welfare outcomes.

We welcome participation from students at all levels — including middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students — from Mongolia and internationally. Opportunities may include observation, short-term field learning, community education, awareness activities, and small independent projects or academic requirements such as internships, field hours, or capstone experiences.

Students and educators from around the world who are interested in Mongolia’s cultural and social changes related to human–animal relationships are encouraged to connect with us.

If you are interested, please contact us with a brief introduction and your CV or résumé (if applicable).

Advancing ethical and humane values for animals

Advancing ethical and humane values for animals

Make an Impact

3% Cover the Fee

Small monthly support saves lives. Just $25/month makes you a Monthly Animal Hero.

All donations are tax -deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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If you prefer to give through a Donor-Advised Fund such as Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard, you may recommend a grant to PAWS MONGOLIA

EIN: 39-4149430