Safe Haven for Donkeys Blog

We hope you had a good festive break and that 2025 has started well for you.  Despite the Christmas and New Year break in the UK, our work continued unabated in Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and Gaza.  Today I’m bringing you a reminder of all the amazing work you’ve made possible thanks to your…

As Christmas approaches, we would like to say a huge thank you for the work you’ve made possible in 2024 helping donkeys in need – including helping us launch a new programme of work in Gaza. And today I’d like to tell you a special Christmas story – of how a donkey our mobile team provided first aid…

I wanted to share a heartwarming story about two young donkeys, Be’eri and Fabian (pictured above), that has deeply touched us here at Safe Haven for Donkeys. At our sanctuary in Israel, we care for donkeys with a wide range of backgrounds, but the story of Be’eri and Fabian is particularly moving. We hope you…

This week we have a wonderful gallery of photographs that our mobile vet teams out in the West Bank have shared with us.  It’s all due to your support we can help so many animals – including builder donkeys, shepherd donkeys and other working donkeys, horses and mules. Never under-estimate the impact you are having. You really…

Amid the rubble and chaos of Gaza, our mobile team continue to perform small miracles, offering treatment, often by the side of the road, to sick and injured donkeys and horses.  Their life-saving work continues to be needed now more than ever. As you will have seen, donkeys have become so important in Gaza, where…

Thanks to you and our donors who have donated through the post, we have now raised funds to support a second vet team along with our other work in the brick kilns of El Saf. We can’t thank you enough – it’s only thanks to your generosity that we can now commit to a permanent…

Today I’m delighted to send you some lovely photos from our Sanctuary in Israel and Rescue Centre in the West Bank. They really do show the impact of your support – the donkeys are so healthy and happy. Thank you so much for your support. News from Arrana Dr. Rakan and Nour recently paid their regular…

This week, I’m sharing an update from our team in Gaza. Due to intermittent WiFi, sending photos and updates can be challenging, so we’ve included highlights from the past month to give you an idea of the vital work our team is carrying out under incredibly difficult circumstances. Thank you, as always, for your invaluable support. As a…

Life at Safe Haven has been very busy over the last few weeks. At our Rescue Centre in the West Bank, we’ve been building a wall around the shelter to prevent flooding during the winter months. Our mobile vet clinics in the West Bank continue to operate, despite road blocks across the area making travel…

We recently welcomed three new rescue donkeys – including a new arrival just a few days ago. We’ll keep you updated on their progress as they settle in with their new friends. It’s all thanks to your support that we can provide these abandoned donkeys with food, veterinary care, and a home, so we hope you enjoy…

Dr. Rakan and Nour recently visited Arrana to carry out health checks on our rescued donkeys who live there. They were pleased to see all the donkeys in robust health – just look at their glossy coats!  He was also able to capture the donkeys having a wonderful gallop around the paddock – you can see Miriam above.…

Communication out of Gaza continues to be patchy, but today we have an update from Dr Saif on how your support is helping our Gaza team to continue their work, providing first aid to donkeys, mules, and horses in dire need.  Dr Saif’s report and photos really do highlight the desperation of the situation, so please do not underestimate…

We hope you enjoy the latest update from Safe Haven for Donkeys, where your support continues to make a significant difference. This week, we have some heartwarming stories from the West Bank and Israel, where you are helping to make such a difference to the donkeys in our care. News from the West Bank Dr Rakan…

Dr Shaaban has sent us a report this week of some of the donkeys the mobile vet team have been able to help. This includes donkeys seen during their regular kiln visits, as well as emergency call outs. As our mobile vet team’s reputation grows in El Saf, we are being contacted more and more…

This week we are bringing you an update on the gorgeous donkeys at our Sanctuary in Israel. Our CEO, Andy, and our volunteer vet, Dr Anna, have been out to the Sanctuary to do their usual checks on our rescue residents. You can see some of their photos in this week’s e-news. Last week, due…

We cannot understate the importance of donkeys and horses in Gaza right now. As you may be aware, earlier this year we set up a mobile team in Gaza to help deliver first aid to donkeys and horses in dire need. Despite communications out of Gaza being incredibly difficult, today I can bring you an…

This week I’m bringing you a report from Dr Shaaban in Egypt. His story shows how dedicated our teams are – and how with your support they never give up on a donkey in need. Thank you so much for all the support you give to Safe Haven for Donkeys – it’s only with your…

Dr Rakan recently sent us a report of his visit to Jericho. It was an incredibly hot day, at over 40 degrees and Dr Rakan noticed a flock of sheep passing along the roadside – with a very special donkey. You can read more in this week’s e-news. Such a heartwarming story! Thank you once again…

Dr Rakan, Wael and a vet student – Dr Reda – travelled out to Balata Refugee Camp this week. The camp is not only home to a large community but also donkeys, horses and other working animals.  We also have a photo of Dr Rakan examining a pregnant donkey using an ultrasound. This ultrasound is just a small…

We’re delighted to bring you an update from our Sanctuary in Israel this week. Our Sanctuary is a peaceful haven for 180 rescue donkeys, many having suffered abuse or abandonment before we provided them with a forever home. As you’ll see below our residents love their home and they receive the best possible care from our team. The impact you’re making in the…

Today we’re excited to share some gorgeous photos of the donkeys at our Arrana Rescue Centre. Thanks to your generosity, along with the support from all our donors, we built this new centre earlier this year. It’s now home to 34 rescue donkeys, who receive the very best of care. This week, Dr Rakan and Wael…

This past week has been a busy one for our mobile vet team out in Egypt. They’ve encountered a number of challenges, like dealing with cracked hooves and a case of a donkey with a head wound. We’ve included a selection of photos below to show you the essential treatment they have provided, all funded by your…

This week we’re delighted to bring you an update on a donkey Dr Rakan provided emergency support to a few weeks ago. You may remember Dr Rakan was called out on an emergency visit to the Balata Refugee Camp to help a poor donkey – called William – in dire need. Dr Rakan has been back to check…

A few weeks ago we welcomed three new rescue donkeys to the Sanctuary in Israel – and this week we’re delighted to introduce you to them! The two male donkeys were both found in a place called Malkia – on the border with Lebanon. A local man had found them and paid for treatment by…

Following the launch of our appeal for the donkeys and horses of Gaza back in May, we have been overwhelmed by the support you have provided. Thanks to you and all our wonderful donors, we have been able to commit to funding a new team in Gaza to provide urgent first aid to animals, as well as paying…

In this week’s update from Safe Haven for Donkeys, we spotlight the efforts of our vet team in El Saf in Egypt, headed up by Dr Shaaban.  One of the challenges the team face is due to the changeover of donkey handlers and donkeys at the brick kilns. As old handlers move on and new ones arrive, our vet team…

I do hope you enjoy reading this week’s update. It’s from Dr Rakan, who recently helped a donkey who had fallen while pulling a cart during particularly hot and dry weather conditions. We’re pleased to say this story has a very happy ending – so please enjoy Dr Rakan’s report and photos below! Thank you…

This week, we’re delighted to bring you an update from our mobile veterinary teams operating in the West Bank. As you will see their tireless work significantly improves the health and well-being of working donkeys in the villages and towns that we visit. All of this is only possible thanks to your support. You are helping to ensure our vet teams…

Our team over at the Sanctuary have been busy taking some wonderful photos of the donkeys in our care. You can see a selection in this week’s e-news – it’s truly heartwarming to see such happy donkeys. News from our Sanctuary The donkeys have loved being out in the paddock at the Sanctuary, enjoying the warmer…