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The Story Behind Omasukulo Shelter: A Journey of Compassion and Hope

Omasukulo Shelter was born out of a deep love and concern for the voiceless animals of Lombok. Founded in 2022 by three remarkable women — Rita Susanti, Dhany Hardjokowikarto, and Riani Ekawati — the shelter began as a small initiative to help stray and abused dogs and cats who had nowhere else to turn.

The name “Omasukulo” itself carries a special meaning, symbolizing care, resilience, and the collective spirit of the community that supports us. What started as a few rescues soon blossomed into a full-scale shelter that now houses and cares for over 100 animals in need.

Each founder brought unique strengths and a shared passion:

• Rita Susanti, the chairperson, provides leadership and vision to steer the shelter’s growth.

• Dhany Hardjokowikarto, secretary and shelter manager, ensures that every animal receives daily care, medical treatment, and attention.

• Riani Ekawati, treasurer, not only manages the shelter’s finances but also leads street feeding programs to reach animals still living on the streets.

• And then there’s Keyzha, lovingly known as the “mother” of all dogs at Omasukulo, whose gentle presence offers comfort to every animal in the shelter.

Since its founding, Omasukulo Shelter has collaborated closely with FamforDogs, a non-profit organization from Germany dedicated to supporting animal welfare globally. This partnership has been instrumental in covering operational costs, enabling us to expand our rescue, rehabilitation, and shelter programs.

In addition to caring for animals within the shelter, Omasukulo runs regular street feeding programs to provide food and support to stray dogs across Lombok. We also organize and fund sterilization campaigns to help control the stray dog population humanely and reduce suffering.

From the beginning, the shelter faced numerous challenges — limited resources, growing numbers of animals in need, and the ongoing struggle to raise awareness about animal welfare in the local community. But through unwavering dedication and the generosity of supporters, Omasukulo Shelter has grown stronger every day.

Beyond rescue and shelter, educating the community is a core part of our mission. We organize outreach programs to teach responsible pet ownership, the importance of sterilization, and kindness towards animals.

Thanks to the kindness of donors, volunteers, and our partners like FamforDogs, we continue to save lives, provide medical care, and offer second chances to animals who would otherwise be forgotten.

This blog will serve as a window into our world — sharing stories of hope, challenges overcome, and the remarkable animals who inspire us daily. We invite you to join us in this journey of compassion, to help create a better future for Lombok’s animals, one paw at a time.