Mongolia: Tradionally is the bond between nomadic herders and their animals based on respect but unfortunately this is changing; the Dutch Eyes on Animals is helping to modernize the slaughterhouses

 

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Dear donors, friends, and supporters, A few years ago, I spoke at an animal welfare conference in England. Afterwards, I struck up a conversation with Liz, an anthropologist at the University of Cambridge. She asked if we could help her improve animal welfare in Mongolia, where she was conducting research at the time. I didn't have to think about that for long. Where there's a will, there's a way. Changes in Mongolia Traditionally, the bond between nomadic herders and their animals is based on respect and reciprocity. But unfortunately, this is changing. More and more families are moving to the city, where children often stay after their studies. As a result, the demand for meat is growing from the cities. The consequence: animals are being transported over increasingly long distances. The animals' lives are often good: outdoors, in complete freedom, they can roam around. There are no fences or cages. The life of many animals in Mongolia: free to go wherever they want. The slaughterhouses, however, pose the problem. Many are old, with worn-out buildings, facilities, and equipment. But even newer slaughterhouses fall short. Knowledge regarding animal welfare, animal behavior, and correct stunning methods is often lacking. Our visit to slaughterhouses This month, the time had come. Eyes on Animals first gave a presentation at a conference in Ulaanbaatar and then went into the field. With great thanks to Liz and her colleague Enkhbat: they have strong contacts with the authorities and the Mongolian meat sector and made all this possible. Their goal: clear animal welfare standards for Mongolia. Eyes on Animals at the conference in Ulaanbaatar. Visitors to the conference. After the conference, we first visited a nomadic shepherd family and witnessed the traditional slaughter. What Roy and I saw there stood in stark contrast to the industrial slaughter we encounter so often in Europe. No shouting, no rushing, no chaos, no transport stress, and no rough handling. The animal was killed, admittedly, but it was done with calm, care, and respect. Roy and I watch the nomadic slaughter. The handling of the sheep is calm and attentive. We advised the use of captive bolt stunners so that unconsciousness is instantaneous. However, because handling is otherwise already so careful, our primary focus lies with industrial slaughterhouses — there is much more room for improvement there. The industrial slaughterhouses In Ulaanbaatar, we visited three commercial slaughterhouses where operations are conducted on a larger scale. Sheep and horses are now transported over longer distances to commercial slaughterhouses in the larger cities. One slaughterhouse dated back to 1946 and was built at the time with support from East Germany. It had barely been modernized. We saw broken fences, dangerous holes in the floor, and no protection against rain, cold, or heat. Moreover, there were no proper unloading facilities, meaning animals sometimes had to jump out of the truck from great heights or be pushed down. Roy checks the electrical installation and I walk through the cattle drive corridor — both date from 1946. Most concerning were the electrical devices used to 'stun' animals. Although the managers were convinced that the electrical devices rendered the animals unconscious, something else actually happened: the animals were immobilized. All muscles cramp, preventing the animal from moving but leaving it fully conscious. This causes severe pain and stress. The animals are subsequently defenseless when the slaughter process begins. Cheap 'sedators' that do not actually sedate the animals, but inflict a lot of pain. In newer slaughterhouses, too, we saw similar problems: painful immobilization instead of stunning, and animals being hoisted up alive by their legs. Poor stunning equipment: a broader problem . What we saw in Mongolia is not an isolated incident. Since our visit to the World Halal Summit in Istanbul, it has become even clearer to us: many slaughterhouses believe they are stunning animals, while the equipment used actually increases suffering. Meanwhile, these cheap devices are available online everywhere. This must stop. Action plan . The challenge is significant. There are dozens of slaughterhouses in Mongolia, and our team is small. But every animal we can spare from a long period of suffering is one less animal to suffer.  Moreover, there is reason for optimism. The companies are open to change. There is a budget and a willingness to learn. During our visit, we explained how effective stunning works, which equipment is suitable, and where it is available. The first investment plans have already been drawn up. In early May, a follow-up online meeting will take place with us, Liz, Enkhbat, representatives from various Mongolian slaughterhouses, and manufacturers of suitable equipment. Later this year, Roy and I hope to return to provide practical on-site training. A new beginning in Mongolia. In the meantime, Liz, together with local partners, has established Mongolia's first official animal welfare organization to reduce the suffering of animals in slaughterhouses. Eyes on Animals will take a seat on the board. That is an important and hopeful step forward. Our visit also attracted the attention of the Mongolian media. An article about our work will soon appear in a trade journal widely read by nomadic herders and the meat industry. Roy and I in conversation with a Mongolian journalist, with Liz as interpreter. Concrete improvements with your support. Without your support, and without Roy's dedication, we would not have been able to do this work. In just nine days, we laid the foundation for improvements that will reduce the suffering of a huge number of animals. You enable us to be in the field — exactly where animals need us most — and to work on practical and concrete improvements. Your support makes a difference for countless individuals. Would you like to help us continue and expand this work in Mongolia? Then donate via the button below. Support our work in Mongolia Thank you very much!  Kind regards, Lesley Moffat Director, Eyes on Animals

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In remote areas in Egypt veterinary care is rare and donkey owners have been taught by Safe Haven for Donkeys to give first aid to the wounded animals

 

Safe Haven for Donkeys showing the new First Aid boxes with  basic equipment to help donkeys with wounds and  pain relief, whilst  working in the brick kilns in Egypt

Last week, we shared how your donations are already helping working donkeys through the new First Aid boxes being introduced at ten 'green' brick kilns in Egypt. Today, I’m so pleased to bring you another update on your support - this time through the launch of our new community mobile vet team in the Aswan region of Egypt. Because of the kindness of all our donors, more working donkeys and horses in remote communities will now be able to receive vital veterinary care - as you have helped fund the new team, their equipment, medicines, and a car to reach remote communities. We hope you enjoy reading all about it in this week's e-news. Thank you, Wendy Safe Haven UK Office An update from Egypt Our new Egypt veterinary team has now completed their training, as we prepare to expand our work with a third mobile clinic. Dr Ahmed, a veterinarian with eight years of experience, has joined Safe Haven alongside veterinary assistant Ali. They will begin travelling across an area known as Upper Egypt, covering Aswan, Luxor and Qena to reach working donkeys and horses in urgent need of care. Dr Ahmed (second left) and Ali (far right) - our new mobile vet team in Upper Egypt The team started work alongside our brick kiln vet teams, learning directly from Dr Shaaban and the wider team members, to deliver the same high standard of practical veterinary care. Understanding the reality of working in the brick kilns will provide a thorough grounding. From the harsh conditions and common injuries faced by the animals, to how our teams calmly handle donkeys and carry out full health assessments in difficult environments. Our new team completed their training in the harsh conditions of the brick kilns The training also included hoof care, lameness assessment and learning how to recognise problems such as tendon injuries and poor body condition. By building these skills from the very beginning, the new team will be able to deliver consistent and effective care to working animals. People were soon queuing up with their donkeys and horses to receive veterinary treatment - these remote regions have little access to such care We're pleased to report that Dr Ahmed and Ali have now carried out their very first mobile clinic in a village in the El Abasia district of Aswan. Working in the intense heat, they treated 25 working animals - including 22 donkeys and 3 horses - many of whom had no previous access to veterinary support. Every animal received essential treatment, including deworming medication. All funded thanks to your support. Our team will work hard to help animals in desperate need of veterinary care - their condition is in stark contrast to working donkeys in the 'green' brick kilns The team found many animals suffering from painful wounds, chronic tendon problems and poor body condition caused by undernourishment. These early findings highlight just how urgently veterinary care is needed in these remote communities. Donkey owners were happy to see our team - the health of their animals is a huge concern, but veterinary care is scarce in the area Owners were incredibly grateful to the team, thanking them for helping improve the health of their animals. Our initial work has also helped identify other villages in urgent need of our vet team's help, allowing us to plan future visits with local authorities. Thank you for helping us bring care to more working animals in need. Thank You Erna  Your support helps us fund our vet teams in Gaza, the West Bank, and Egypt, bringing vital veterinary treatment directly to working donkeys, mules and horses in desperate need. You are also caring for rescue donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank, where they receive nutritious food, specialist care, and the safety of a forever home.  Thank you for caring for these gentle animals. Donate today Dr Ahmed helped to provide essential hoof care to a donkey in El Abasia - all thanks to your support. Thank you. 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

Bali Animal Welfare Association : This year already 1,434 dogs sterilised, 2,281 vaccinated and treated and 72 schools have taken part in animal education programmes

 

Dear friends and supporters, Because of you, we’ve achieved so much this year. From rescuing animals in desperate need and providing life-saving veterinary care, to supporting communities through education and prevention, and advocating for stronger protections against cruelty and abuse – your support is transforming lives every single day.

One Health – Protecting Animals and People Our One Health teams work with communities every day island-wide to provide sterilisation, rabies vaccinations, and education. With limited access to veterinary care, most dogs remain unsterilised – and most female puppies are abandoned. So far this year, our One-Health team has sterilised 1,434 dogs, vaccinated 2,281, and treated 1,804. The impact is immediate and lasting: vaccinations protect people and animals, sterilisation prevents the suffering of unwanted puppies, and education builds compassion – helping dogs be seen as companions, not threats. In this way, your support enables us to prevent suffering before it begins – reducing the spread of disease and stopping the cycle of abandonment and suffering at its source.

SUPPORT OUR ONE-HEALTH PROGRAM

Education: Shaping A Kinder Future While the challenges we face are urgent, we are equally committed to building a more compassionate future through education. So far this year, 12,702 children across 72 schools have taken part in our education programme – learning to understand, respect, and care for animals. Working closely with schools across the island, we are teaching children about responsible dog ownership, rabies prevention, and kindness towards animals These young minds are the future of Bali, and every lesson creates a ripple effect – from the classroom to families, villages, and beyond.

SUPPORT A KINDER FUTURE

Rescue – A Second Chance at Life BAWA’s hotline has responded to 683 emergency calls just this year – from dogs trapped in river gorges, roadside accidents, motherless newborns, to severe abuse and neglect situations.

Rehabilitation & Rehoming: From Survival to Love Every day, BAWA cares for over 400 rescued dogs – not just feeding them, but rebuilding their lives through medical care, nourishment, and trust, until they get to live the life we dream of for them... not just surviving, but truly thriving. So far this year, we have rehomed 70 dogs and cats into loving families.

TRANSFORM LIVES WITH US

Why Your Help Matters Every rescue, every classroom, every vaccination, every treatment is part of something bigger. You are helping reduce suffering and to build a future where animals are safe, valued, and protected. Please Help Us Go Further