Voordierenblogger: The weekly update from Safe Haven for Donkeys in Gaza: 3 new vets from Gaza City provide free care for working animals whose owners can't afford a vet

Dear Erna

A few weeks ago, I shared the news that Dr Saif had sadly left Gaza.

Today, I’m very pleased to introduce you to Dr Ahmed Thabet and the vet team who are continuing our work to help Gaza’s donkeys.

Dr Ahmed is joined by two other vets and a veterinary assistant. Together, they strengthen our veterinary capacity in Gaza, allowing us to build on the vital first aid provided by Dr Saif and his team and, where equipment and supplies are available, provide a wider range of more complex treatments.

I know many of you care deeply about the animals caught up in this terrible conflict, so I wanted Dr Ahmed to tell you, in his own words, a little about his team, the challenges they face and the animals they are already helping.

Thank you, as always, for caring.

Wendy
Safe Haven UK Office

An update from Dr Ahmed in Gaza

My name is Dr Ahmed Thabet and I work out of a vet clinic in Gaza City. Our team includes three vets - myself, Dr Muath Al-Sir and Dr Mohammed Basal - alongside our veterinary assistant, Ahmed Althawabteh.

We are Safe Haven’s new team providing vet care for working animals whose owners cannot afford or access treatment in Gaza.

Before the war, there were approximately 5,000 donkeys, horses and other equids in Gaza, around two-thirds of them donkeys. Today, we believe around half of these animals have been lost.

Dr Ahmed - pictured above - heads up our new team of three vets and a vet assistant, strengthening our work in Gaza.

Veterinary medicines and essential supplies are also extremely difficult to obtain, so every day we have to make the best decisions we can with the limited resources available to us.

Recently, we treated a jenny (a female donkey) who had been attacked by a dog. With no rabies vaccinations available, we cleaned her wounds as thoroughly as possible, stitched them and are now monitoring her closely.

This female donkey had been attacked by a dog. With veterinary supplies extremely limited, the team is doing everything it can with the resources available.

We also treated a severely malnourished donkey with multiple wounds and painful sharp points on his teeth that were making it difficult for him to eat.

Our new team has the veterinary expertise to carry out more complex procedures, including dental treatment. But much of the specialist equipment we would normally use has been lost or damaged during the war and cannot currently be replaced.

This male donkey was suffering from multiple wounds and severe malnutrition. Painful sharp points on his teeth were also making it difficult for him to eat.

Using the tools available, we were able to carefully file his teeth to provide some relief, as well as clean and treat his wounds. As soon as access allows, we hope to replace essential equipment such as our mechanical dental rasp, enabling us to provide a wider range of treatments for donkeys like him.

As Safe Haven’s new team, we will continue doing everything we can to relieve suffering and provide these remarkable animals.

Thank you for caring for Gaza’s working animals and I’ll look forward to sending you updates in the coming months.

Just two days after our team provided treatment, this severe back wound was already beginning to heal. The team will continue to monitor the donkey’s recovery.

Thank You

Working animals have become even more important to people in Gaza since the war, with donkeys and horses increasingly relied upon for transport and daily livelihoods. This places enormous strain on animals that are already living in extremely difficult conditions.

Thank you for supporting us to provide veterinary care to donkeys and other working animals in desperate need. Your support means we can continue to treat injuries, relieve suffering and give these animals the care they deserve.

Help our vet teams today

Above - Our new Vet Assistant Ahmed stitches the dog bite wound. This is just one example of the wider range of veterinary treatment our new team - headed up by lead vet Dr Ahmed - can now provide in Gaza, thanks to your support.

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.