Thanks to your incredible support to our Christmas appeal in November we raised £33,878 to fund our Egypt program and launch a second mobile vet team.
We were overwhelmed by your support – and we’re pleased to say your money was immediately put to work.
You are helping us to widen our programme in the brick kilns – and beyond – and this week’s e-news includes an update from Dr Shaaban, showing how many more donkeys they are able to provide veterinary care to – all thanks to you.
Thank you again for your unwavering support to Safe Haven. It means the world to our vet teams, sanctuary staff, and of course the thousands of donkeys who are able to lead better lives.
News from Egypt
Dr Saif told us:
Thanks to your support, our Egypt program has greatly improved the welfare of working donkeys in brick kilns.
When our programme commenced Dr Shaaban assessed the brick kilns and categorised them as red, amber or green – with red kilns having poor welfare for the donkeys working there. In 2023, 14 kilns were green, 20 amber, and 86 red. By the end of 2024, only 31 kilns remained red, showing a dramatic improvement in welfare standards for donkeys.
Even when kiln conditions improve, donkeys still need ongoing care. One such donkey is this 11-year-old male who works in a ‘green’ kiln, or one with good welfare conditions.
However, he unfortunately sustained a bite on his ear during a fight with another donkey, which led to a severe infected wound. His owner noticed he started tilting his head and showing movement discoordination.
Following treatment by our team, within days the ear started healing
Our team conducted a full examination and suspected that the infection had spread internally within the ear. We immediately placed the donkey on a treatment plan including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.
The donkey has now made a full recovery due to our team’s care
After a prolonged period of care and treatment, along with daily wound dressings and surgical removal of necrotic (or dead) tissue, we’re pleased to say the donkey is fully recovered, and all neurological signs disappeared.
With a second mobile vet team, we have also been able to extend out work out into local villages, to help working donkeys in the community.
This X-ray of a village donkey’s stomach shows he has ingested sand
With your support our second mobile vet team is able to reach out to local communities to treat working donkeys outside of the brick kilns.
This donkey had recurrent colic and signs of dental disorders. After a full examination, including an X-ray, we found the donkey had sand in his stomach. We dewormed the donkey, performed dental rasping, and administered sand-fix powder along with anti-inflammatory medication for five days.
Dr Shaaban shows the donkey’s owner the X-ray and explains the treatment the team will provide
We hope this short update helps to show the impact your donations have had to our work in Egypt. It’s just a small part of the work being undertaken every day. Since Christmas the teams have also conducted farrier training and a dental campaign in the local villages, as well as their regular visits to kilns to treat working donkeys in need. All thanks to you.
Donkeys at the Egypt brick kilns are living better lives thanks to you
Thank you ♥️♥️
It’s only with your help we are able to improve the lives of working donkeys, mules and horses in the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt. You’re also helping to fund our hospital in Nablus in the West Bank and care for our rescue donkeys in Arrana, as well as our donkeys at our sanctuary in Israel.
Pssst. Our donkeys love treats – from carrots to watermelon and cucumber. Will you make a donkey’s Valentine and give £5 to fund some tasty treats for Nader and his friends?