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.

The life for donkeys in brick kilns Egypt are tradgic but thanks to donations for 2 mobile vet teams the situation has enormously improved

 

A brick kiln in Egypt 

Dear Friends I’m writing to share an update on our vital work in Egypt – supporting the hardworking donkeys and mules of the brick kilns. In just two years, since we started our work in El Saf, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in animal welfare across the kilns. This is all thanks to your generosity. Our team’s tireless efforts are making a real difference – from treating injuries to educating owners on better care, the change has been truly heartening. This progress simply wouldn’t be possible without your continued support. Thank you, from all of us – and from the donkeys too. Kindest regards, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office   Egypt Update When we first started our work in 2023, it was rare to see a donkey in the brick kilns without wounds. Most were suffering from injuries caused by poorly fitting harnesses, overwork, and lack of rest. Wounds were once common on the donkeys we treat in the brick kilns - caused by poor harnessing and other injuries. But today, thanks to our two mobile vet teams and our programme of education for donkey handlers, the situation has dramatically improved. Now, a high percentage of donkeys are working without wounds – a sign of real progress and improved welfare. We are now seeing more donkeys with good body conditions and less wounds. To help reduce harness-related wounds in the kilns, Dr Shaaban has introduced a qualified harness maker to the donkey owners there. The harness-maker is now working in the area, providing well-fitted, humane harnesses that are making a big difference to the comfort and wellbeing of the donkeys. Dr Shaaban sits with the harness-maker recently introduced to the El Saf kilns by our team. Proper harnessing is key to reducing wounds and injuries - we're already seeing an improvement since their introduction. Thanks to the improvements we’ve seen in the kilns, our team has been able to extend support to surrounding communities too. Recently, we received an emergency call from a donkey owner in a nearby village. His young donkey was suffering from severe lameness, with swelling from above the knee down to the elbow. With better conditions in the kilns, our vet teams are able to work in the local communities too - helping donkeys like this one. The owner told us the donkey had been hit in a car accident. Because Dr Shaaban's team were already working in the area, they were able to respond quickly and give the young donkey the urgent care he needed. Dr Shaaban was able to provide emergency care to the young donkey - here he is x-raying the injured animal. Unfortunately, the donkey had suffered a fracture in his right radius. Our team acted quickly and, under general anaesthesia, applied a cast to support the healing process. The donkey had a fractured leg - so was given a general anaesthetic to reset the bone and apply a cast. While waiting for the donkey to recover from the anaesthetic, one of our team, Moharam, took the opportunity to speak with the owner about proper donkey feeding and care. It was a chance not only to treat an injury, but to share knowledge that will help prevent future problems. While the donkey recovers from the anaesthetic, Maharam chats to the owner about donkey care.  The donkey responded well to his treatment and is now on the mend – and we’re hopeful he’ll make a full recovery soon. We're now hopeful the donkey will make a full recovery, thanks to your support. This is just a one example of the donkeys you are helping. Thanks to you, we can fund vet teams to help donkeys in need, providing free vet care.  Thank You  It's only with your help we are able to improve the lives of working donkeys, mules and horses in the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt. You're also helping to fund our hospital in Nablus in the West Bank and care for our rescue donkeys in Arrana, as well as our donkeys at our sanctuary in Israel. Donate Today We are seeing big changes in animal welfare in the El Saf kilns - donkeys like this one have fewer wounds, and a good body condition. 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.

Royal Patron: Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra the Hon Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO  Patrons: The Rt Hon the Earl of Stockton, The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG, Desmond Lynam OBE, Peter Egan, Kay Burley, Jan Leeming, and Anthony Head Copyright © 2025 Safe Haven for Donkeys, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Safe Haven for Donkeys Our mailing address is: Safe Haven for Donkeys Unit 23 More House Farm Business Centre Wivelsfield Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 7RE United Kingdom Add us to your address book