The weekly update from Safe Haven for Donkeys :Thanks to your kindness, we have been able to fund a new community vet team in Egypt, with vital hoof care provided by our farrier.

 

Thank you so much to everyone who gave so generously to our Easter appeal earlier this year. Thanks to your kindness, we have been able to fund a new community vet team in Egypt, led by Dr Ahmed, with vital hoof care provided by Ali, our farrier. This team is now bringing much-needed care to working donkeys and horses in rural communities in the Aswan region, where many animals have little or no access to veterinary treatment. Your support is already making a real difference. This week, Dr Ahmed and Ali visited four villages, helping animals who desperately needed their care. I hope you’ll feel proud to see what you’ve made possible. Wendy Safe Haven UK Office An update from our Community vet team in Egypt During their visits, the team found many working donkeys in urgent need of care. Some were underweight and weak. Others had painful wounds, hoof problems, or eye conditions made worse by flies and irritation. The team dewormed every donkey they examined, helping to tackle internal parasites that can leave animals weak, undernourished and vulnerable to further illness. They also cleaned and dressed wounds, treated painful hoof problems and distributed fly masks to help protect animals from constant irritation around the eyes and open wounds. As owners waited patiently with their donkeys and horses to see our community vet team, the need for this vital care is clear. In hot and dusty places, flies are more than a nuisance. They can quickly make existing injuries worse and lead to serious complications. One painful fly-related condition, called habronemiasis, often affects wounds and sensitive areas around the eyes. Treatment includes carefully cleaning and dressing the affected areas, as well as flushing the tear ducts to help relieve irritation and support recovery. Flies and their larvae can cause painful conditions such as habronemiasis One horse was suffering from severe lameness caused by thrush, a painful infection of the hoof. The team carefully cleaned the hoof, removing dead and infected tissue, treating the area and applied a protective bandage. Encouragingly, the owner has already reported that the horse is improving and seems much more comfortable. Dr Ahmed will continue to monitor the horse until he has fully recovered. This horse had a painful thrush infection in his hoof. Dr Ahmed treated the infection and, soon afterwards, the horse was already much more comfortable.  Another serious case involved a donkey suffering from tetanus after a puncture wound to the hoof. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease that affects the nervous system. The donkey was also severely dehydrated. The team set to work providing fluid therapy, alongside anti-inflammatory medication to ease pain, and a course of antibiotics. The owner was advised to keep the donkey in a quiet, calm environment while he recovers. Tetanus can be life-threatening. Prompt vet treatment is vital. Thankfully our team - funded by your support - was there to help. This work helping working equines is only possible with your support. Thank You  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. Help continue this vital care This donkey - in desperate need of vet treatment - is just one of the animals you've helped to support in recent weeks. 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

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The weekly report 'Safe Haven for Donkeys' : a special update from our teams working in the brick kilns of El Saf, Egypt

 

This week, I’m pleased to share a special update from our teams working in the brick kilns of El Saf, Egypt. Thanks to your kindness, our mobile vets are reaching working donkeys and mules who urgently need care - animals who simply wouldn’t receive help without you. Everything you’ll read in this report is made possible by your support. On behalf of all of us - and the animals you’re helping - thank you so much. Wendy Safe Haven UK Office An update from Dr Shaaban, Egypt An 11-year old donkey who has worked in the El Saf brick kilns for three years was recently reported to our team after developing a sudden and painful eye problem. He couldn’t open his right eye. It was constantly watering, and he was clearly in severe discomfort. Close-up of the corneal ulcer before treatment. When our team arrived, he was nervous and in obvious pain. A full eye examination revealed a corneal ulcer - a serious condition that can quickly lead to permanent sight loss if left untreated. Treatment began immediately. He received antibiotics to fight infection and medication to ease pain and inflammation. Our vets also applied a specialised treatment called platelet-rich plasma to help speed healing of the damaged surface of his eye. Medication is carefully applied to fight infection and reduce pain. But this donkey will need ongoing care, so we took time to train the stockman who looks after him, carefully explaining how and when to apply the eye medication so treatment could continue. Thankfully the donkey improved daily and went on to make a full recovery - with his vision completely restored. Corneal ulcers are common in the dusty, harsh conditions of the brick kilns. But because of our regular visits, cases like this are becoming less frequent in El Saf. This progress is only possible because of you. The donkey after his sight has been fully restored. In another urgent case, we received a call about a working donkey involved in a cart accident. He was in severe pain and bleeding heavily from one of his hooves. When our team arrived, he was badly lame on his left hind leg and visibly shaking. Front view of the damaged hoof before treatment began. On examination, we found a deep wound at the coronary band - the top of the hoof. An X-ray confirmed a fracture to a small bone inside the hoof. Our first priority was to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. The wound was carefully cleaned and soaked to reduce contamination, before a pressure bandage was applied. He was given antibiotics and strong pain relief, along with medication to reduce swelling and tissue damage. The team carefully repeat the hoof soak as part of ongoing care. Over the following weeks, the team provided regular follow-up care including gengle hoof trims to support healthy regrowth, and healing was closely monitored. Gradually the wound healed, and the hoof began to grow back normally. Today, he is standing comfortably again, a remarkable recovery from what could have been a life-ending injury. Amr, one of the Egypt team, with the donkey after his full recovery. Thank You  Your support funds our mobile vet teams in the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt, bringing veterinary care directly to working donkeys in desperate need. It also helps us care 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 You are helping to care for the donkeys of El Saf, working hard in the brick kilns every day. 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.

Weekly updates from Safe Haven for Donkeys in Egypt (9 photos )

The soft leather harness is made especially for the donkeys from your donations instead of the metal chains they had to suffer which caused deep wounds on their noses. The photo is a happy one.. Here the donkeys receive care but have to go back to work in brick kilns when they have recovered.

Dear  Friends, For now, I want to bring you two updates from the West Bank - one about a donkey whose recovery is going well, and news of Rakan the donkey (pictured above) who was moved from Arrana to Nablus this week. Thank you so much for all of your support. It's only with your help we're able to care for so many donkeys, mules and horses in the Middle East. With my warmest wishes, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office   News from the West Bank You may remember this beautiful donkey from our 9th October update. He had suffered neglect from his previous owner, and although his new owner tried to help by trimming his overgrown hooves, he accidentally caused damage to the donkey's feet. Our team first visited the donkey a few weeks ago to provide treatment to his damaged hooves Thanks to Dr Rakan and Nour's skilled treatment and ongoing care, we're delighted to share the donkey is now making good progress. Our team checked on the donkey's progress - one hoof fully healed, the other almost there. His owner has promised to keep him resting until he's fully recovered. It's wonderful to see how your support is helping bring this donkey back to full health. Thanks to your support this donkey is almost fully recovered Over at our rescue center in Arrana, Dr Rakan and the team have now transported several donkeys to our hospital in Nablus for closer monitoring. Dr Rakan had noticed that Rakan the donkey - who first came into our care in 2023 after suffering terrible burns - had lost weight and needed additional support. Rakan the donkey has recently lost weight and needs close monitoring and care When Rakan was rescued in 2023, he had been found on the streets of Jericho, where he'd been cruelly set alight. His injuries were severe, but thanks to Dr Rakan's skill and compassion, he recovered after a surgical procedure to amputate his ear, and months of dedicated care. Now, our team will continue to monitor his health closely at Nablus, ensuring he receives the extra care and comfort he needs to stay strong and well. Rakan the donkey ready to be transported to our hospital in Nablus where he'll receive the best possible care from Dr Rakan and his team Our Nablus hospital is where Dr Rakan cares for the most vulnerable donkeys - and where he hopes to create a small surgical space to perform the procedures that make all the difference to their recovery - donkeys just like Rakan. Keep an eye out for our email on Sunday, where we'll be sharing more about Dr Rakan's plans! Thank You  Because of you , our vet teams in the West Bank can reach donkeys like Rakan - bringing treatment, comfort and hope where it's needed most. Your generosity also supports our mobile vet teams in Gaza and Egypt, and ensures the rescued donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank continue to receive the daily care, kindness and safety they deserve. All of this is only possible because of you.  Thank you for helping so many donkeys live healthier, happier lives. Donate today Your support is helping to provide care for rescue donkeys like Rakan, who suffered the most terrible abuse before he arrived at Safe Haven 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. The story of donkey Rakan (named after Dr, Rakan the vet) The story began when Dr Rakan, our vet in the Palestinian city of Nablus, received a call from his counterpart Dr Omran, over in Tubas. He had been alerted to a donkey abandoned on the streets of Jericho in a terrible condition. Dr Rakan immediately arranged transportation. He arrived at our Rescue Center in pain and in desperate need of veterinary care. The donkey had been set alight – and his ear was severely burned. He must have been in so much pain. Dr Rakan was appalled to see the donkey had 3rd or 4th degree burns to this ear. He immediately sedated the donkey, gave him a painkiller, antibiotics, and gently washed the ear in antiseptic, applying soothing cream before bandaging the ear. For several days the donkey was on antibiotics and painkillers, with his bandage changed daily. He was also given a tetanus vaccine. The poor donkey had been in so much pain, this treatment was literally a lifesaver, and only possible thanks to your support. After a few days of treatment the donkey's condition was stable enough for Dr Rakan to operate to remove the ear – an auriculectomy – as the ear was so badly damaged it was beyond saving. We're pleased to say the operation was a complete success. The donkey's head was wrapped in a special bandage containing antiseptic ointment and an absorbent dressing. The bandage was changed every day and the donkey was soon looking and feeling so much better. A little bit of heaven The donkey is now happy at our Rescue Center in the West Bank – he is interacting with the other donkeys and also with Dr Rakan and the team. And we're delighted to say he's made a full recovery. As Dr Rakan said:  “he is healthy and happy and will enjoy his life at Safe Haven. It's the most successful story I've ever told.” And the donkey's name? After a vote by our supporters, it was decided to call the donkey Rakan, after the wonderful vet who saved his life.