In Gaza, Dr Ahmed, Safe Haven for Donkeys and his team help donkeys suffering from painful wounds, injuries and illnesses

 

Dear friends, Every day in Gaza, Dr Ahmed and his team meet donkeys suffering from painful wounds, injuries and illnesses. These animals carry food and essential supplies through incredibly difficult conditions. And they desperately need vet care. Between June and October, the team registered 122 new cases and made 295 follow-up visits. October was their busiest month yet. Behind those figures are individual animals who needed someone to help. And this week, I’d like to share a few of their stories, and thank you for making this vital work possible - through your regular gifts and your donations to our Gaza appeal. With warmest wishes, Wendy Safe Haven UK Office P.S. You will be receiving an email on Sunday to invite you to a very special online video call with Dr Ahmed on Tuesday 17th at 13.00 GMT so you can hear first hand how your support is saving lives. If you'd like to register now, please follow this link. An update from Gaza When this female donkey came to see our vet team, she had been suffering from colic for three days. She was clearly uncomfortable and hadn’t been able to pass any dung for 48 hours. Dr Ahmed and his team gave her fluids before gently examining her. They discovered a large amount of swallowed plastic packaging, along with pieces of rope and even a short length of metal wire. The donkey was given fluids for her colic while the team provided treatment. As they carefully removed the material, her relief was almost immediate. She could finally pass dung again and was soon comfortable enough to leave their care. Thanks to your support, our team was there when she needed help. Healing takes time, especially when an animal keeps irritating a sore patch. For this eight-year-old donkey, biting at a painful knee wound had made the injury worse. This donkey was treated for a painful knee wound. Over eight visits, our team patiently cleaned and treated the wound. Little by little, they began to see an improvement. By 1st November, it was healing well enough for her treatment visits to end. Her caring owner, who had been doing her best to help, was given advice on stopping her from biting the area while it continued to heal. Dr Basal bandages the donkey's knee to provide relief.  It’s hard to understand how anyone could deliberately hurt an animal. Sadly, this female donkey suffered a knife wound when her owner became involved in a dispute with another man. Our team carefully cleaned and stitched her wound, and gave her antibiotics to treat the infection. When it didn’t heal as quickly as they had hoped, they continued tending to it during follow-up visits. This poor donkey suffered a knife wound - but with your support she's now back to full health. As you'll see above, she soon made enough progress to be discharged from our care. After such a distressing experience, your kindness helped give her the treatment and attention she needed. Dr Ahmed feels a close connection to all the animals his team provides treatment to. Every story here begins with a donkey who needed help. Your generosity means Dr Ahmed and his team can be there to provide vital treatment and pain relief to injured animals. Thank you for helping bring comfort to donkeys living through such difficult times. Thank You   With your help, our team in Gaza can treat painful injuries, support recovery and help owners keep their animals healthy. Your kindness also provides care for rescued donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank, as well as supporting our other veterinary teams reach working animals across the West Bank and Egypt. Thank you for helping donkeys and giving them the chance of living healthier, more comfortable lives. Donate to help donkeys in need Thanks to your support, our vet team are able to provide vital care to donkeys, mules and horses who would otherwise have no one to turn to. If you'd like to read previous updates of our work, please click here to visit out blog. You can also view today's update online by clicking here. Registered charity number 1083468

446 pieces of elephant ivory seized in Thailand: Behind every ivory seizure is a heartbreaking reminder of the suffering these magnificent animals endure for their tusks.

 

Photo Credit: Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP)

An investigation into suspected international wildlife trafficking continues in Thailand after authorities discovered 446 pieces of elephant ivory concealed inside timber logs at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province.

The seizure was announced on October 7, after customs officials inspected two shipping containers declared as carrying 568 processed timber logs from Zambia.

Following intelligence shared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), officers identified 32 modified logs containing hidden ivory and unidentified animal remains.

In a significant development announced on October 16, Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation confirmed that more than 70 officials participated in a detailed examination of the confiscated ivory and animal remains.

Wildlife forensic specialists collected DNA samples to help determine their origins. Preliminary examinations suggested that some of the unidentified animal remains could belong to a tiger or lion, although their species have not yet been confirmed. Authorities expect the DNA results to take approximately one to two months.

The investigation is also examining possible connections to wildlife trafficking cases in Southeast Asia. Thai officials have requested cooperation from CITES authorities in Vietnam and Laos to compare information from similar cases and determine whether the operations may be connected.

According to the department, evidence may also be shared with Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and INTERPOL if links to international organized crime are established.

The seizure underscores the devastating impact of the illegal ivory trade on elephants in both Africa and Asia, who continue to face the threat of poaching and exploitation.

The discovery of ivory and other animal remains concealed inside timber shipments also raises serious concerns about the methods used by criminal networks to transport illegally traded wildlife products across international borders.

Behind every ivory seizure is a heartbreaking reminder of the suffering these magnificent animals endure for their tusks.

World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals commend the authorities and organizations involved in uncovering this illegal shipment and urge continued international cooperation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

No elephant should ever lose their life for ivory. Protecting these extraordinary animals and ensuring a future where they can thrive in the wild must remain a global priority.

Origen: World Animal News

80+ dogs rescued in 'heartbreaking' conditions from organized dogfighting iin Florida: many dogs suffering from wounds, open sores, and underweight

More than 80 dogs and puppies are finally safe following a multi-property suspected dogfighting bust in Clay and Union counties, Florida, putting an end to the suffering these animals endured at the hands of a brutal and illegal industry.

Humane World for Animals assisted local authorities with the rescue at the request of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Veterinarians from the University of Florida Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory also provided critical on-scene support.

Search and seizure warrants were executed early in the morning of December 10 across three properties. What responders discovered was deeply disturbing. Many dogs were chained with heavy restraints, left with plastic barrels or makeshift structures as their only shelter. Others stood in their own feces inside filthy outdoor hutches and pens. On one Union County property, two young puppies were found whimpering alone, without their mother.

Across all three locations, responders observed dogs covered in scars consistent with dogfighting. Many were severely underweight and suffering from skin disease, open sores, and fresh wounds. One dog on the Clay County property was missing his foot; veterinarians determined he had suffered a traumatic amputation that had never been medically treated.

Investigators also uncovered clear signs of organized dogfighting, including treadmills and conditioning and breeding equipment on each property, tools used to force dogs into violent combat for human profit.

“Their scars tell a heartbreaking story—the sadness and suffering these dogs have endured is unimaginable,” said Kate MacFall, Florida state director for Humane World for Animals. “This is a complex, multi-agency collaboration, and we are grateful for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Sheriff’s Office for investigating and bringing justice to these animals.”

“We take allegations of animal abuse or dogfighting very seriously, and we are grateful to the community members who stepped forward with information that set this investigation in motion,” said Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook. “We appreciate the USDA and its agents for their dedicated investigative efforts, and we extend our thanks to Humane World for Animals for their invaluable assistance.”

Dogfighting inflicts horrific and often fatal injuries, including deep puncture wounds, broken bones, severe bruising, and internal trauma. Many dogs do not die during the fight itself, but later from dehydration, infection, blood loss, exhaustion, or shock. These dogs are deliberately bred and conditioned for violence from birth, the start of a lifetime defined by cruelty.

Humane World for Animals has documented that organized dogfighting frequently overlaps with other serious crimes, including weapons offenses, gambling, drug trafficking, and violence. Dogfighting is a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison for operating fights or for possessing, training, selling, transporting, or breeding dogs for fighting.

This year alone, Humane World for Animals has assisted authorities in Florida, South Carolina, and Indiana with the rescue of nearly 200 dogs from 12 properties linked to suspected dogfighting operations.

Following this rescue, Furry Friends Humane is transporting the dogs to a secure, confidential location, where Humane World for Animals responders and volunteers will provide urgent medical care, nourishment, and comfort. RedRover Responders volunteers will also assist with daily care as the dogs begin their long road to recovery.

Thanks to swift action and collaboration, these dogs will no longer be forced to suffer for a sick and violent industry. World Animal News is grateful to everyone involved in this lifesaving rescue, including Humane World for Animals, RedRover Responders, Furry Friends Humane, and the Clay County and Union County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the investigators and community members whose courage helped bring this cruelty to an end.

Safe Haven for Dokeys news: A huge number of families In Gaza are suffering in heavy rains and floods whilst brave vets care for sick, injured, animals

 

Dear Friends This week, I want to share an update sent by Dr Saif, from our team in Gaza, who have been working around the clock in some of the toughest conditions they’ve had to face due to recent floods. Thanks to your support, the team has been able to deliver first aid to hundreds of animals who would otherwise have no help at all. Since the ceasefire, they’ve finally been able to reach areas that were completely inaccessible before - places where animals have been waiting far too long for the care they need. I hope you can take a moment to read about the work you are helping to make possible - and all the donkeys being cared for with your ongoing support. Thank you so much, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office  News from our team in Gaza On 8th November, we had to leave Gaza City and North Gaza. As the situation had worsened, we were forced to make the difficult decision to withdraw the team temporarily for their safety. We fully intend to return as soon as it is safe to do so, where animals continue to wait with patience. The team are inundated with donkeys like this one who need their help. The team moved into the central region, including Al-Sudaniah - an area that had been almost impossible to reach before the ceasefire. As soon as the roads opened, calls for help came from every direction. People asked for support, and animals stood waiting in pain. The team began treating them straightaway, providing first aid where it was needed most. Donkeys continue to be a vital part of everyday life in Gaza. 13th November: the team continued their work in Al-Sudaniah, running a major campaign to support the thousands of displaced families and animals sheltering there. Many donkeys and horses needed first aid, and a large number were in very poor health. But we’re glad to report that our follow-up checks show steady improvement in the animals we’ve treated. People are so grateful to know someone is looking out for them and their animals. But soon after, the heavy winter rains arrived - and with them, widespread flooding. Mohammed at work, trimming a donkey’s hoof. With regular care, some animals are now showing real signs of improvement. On 17th November, heavy rains swept through the area, washing away fragile homes and tents. Families were left exposed, with no safe way to move to higher ground. Once again, it was the donkeys and horses who stepped in - carrying people and belongings to safety where no vehicle could go. Because of your support, our team was able to help coordinate these rescue efforts and give urgent medical care to the animals helping to save lives. Heavy winter rains have made living conditions even harder in Gaza. Two days later, on 19th November, the team reached camps in the western areas of Rafah. Tens of thousands of displaced families are living there with almost nothing, and for many, their animals are their only remaining source of stability. That day alone, the team treated 31 animals, with 49 more waiting. People trave, injured animalslled from far away, some carrying sick animals in blankets because they had no other option. Our team will never turn away an animal in need. Flooding brings greater challenges to our team in Gaza, but they are dedicated to helping as many animals as possible. Later in November the floods returned again, creating even more need. And by 2nd December, the team had moved north-west of Khan Younis, near Deir Al-Balah, where huge numbers of families and animals are now staying. Calls for help are constant, and every day the team responds to a higher volume of emergency requests. The team work tirelessly to treat as many animals as possible - the need is relentless, and your support is absolutely vital. All of this work to help donkeys and horses has only been possible because of your support - especially from donors who are able to give regular gifts - which keep the team equipped and ready to reach the next animal in need. Thank you for helping to bring first aid to the donkeys, mules and horses in Gaza who rely on our team. Thank You  Everything we do is made possible by you. Your support is helping our team in Gaza reach animals in the hardest-hit areas, giving urgent first aid to donkeys, mules and horses who have nowhere else to turn. Your kindness also keeps our vet teams working across the West Bank and Egypt, and ensures the rescued donkeys in our sanctuaries receive the daily care they depend on. Thank you for bringing comfort and healing to these gentle animals. Donate today to help our vet teams We are the only charity funding a mobile vet team providing first aid to donkeys, mules and horses who need our help. If you'd like to read previous updates of our work, please click here to visit out blog. You can also view today's update online by clicking here.