Safe Haven for Donkeys: a weekly update from the West Bank with 5 heartwarming photo's

 

The road blocks My heart breaks for these animals. The donkey is so thin......  You may remember that I recently shared an update from our Nablus team in the West Bank, who were forced to turn back from a trip to Senjil, due to road blocks. But they were determined not to let the day go to waste. The team quickly changed course and travelled through several villages before reaching Mazare’ Al Nobani, near Ramallah. By the end of the day, they had provided much-needed care to 31 working donkeys and horses. Here’s an update on what happened - made possible thanks to your support. Kindest regards, Wendy Safe Haven UK Office An update from the West Bank One of the first animals the team treated was a donkey who was struggling to walk after spending several weeks in a cramped and uncomfortable shelter. He had been living alongside a horse in a small space with a rocky, uneven floor. Over time, the poor conditions had taken their toll. He was dehydrated, his muscles had become stiff and painful and he could no longer walk comfortably. Dr Rakan provided urgent care to this donkey, who was severely dehydrated and struggling to walk. Respect for the vet's helper holding the intravenous bottle. That will take 45 minutes After receiving fluids and pain relief, the donkey was also fitted with a soft new head collar. During their visits, they still find donkeys and horses wearing nose chains. These heavy chains can cut into the skin, cause painful pressure sores and, over time, lead to lasting damage. Whenever the team finds an unsuitable chain, they remove it and replace it with a soft, properly fitted one, or hand made padded covers, helping owners guide their animals safely without causing unnecessary pain. A new head collar may seem like a small change, but it can make a huge difference to a working animal’s comfort every day. Dr Rakan also makes practical changes like this - replacing harsh chains with soft, properly fitted head collars. Thank You Erna  Your support helps our veterinary teams reach working donkeys, horses and mules with the treatment and medicines they urgently need. It also allows them to work alongside owners, making practical changes that can prevent further pain and suffering. Thank you for helping these gentle animals live healthier and more comfortable lives. Help our vet teams reach more donkeys Thanks to your support, our mobile teams can provide urgent veterinary care while also helping owners prevent future suffering. 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

Dr Saif vet in Gaza: "in the last 10 days alone we have helped 379 animals" and update from Dr Rakan vet in the West Bank ( 8 photos )

 

Dear Friends As we write this week’s e-news, there is finally a glimmer of hope that peace may be in sight for Gaza. Dr Saif messaged us this morning to say in the last 10 days alone, his team has helped 379 animals. Their dedication never wavers, and it’s thanks to your generosity that they can keep going. Whether you supported our Gaza appeal or give a regular monthly gift - you are a vital part of our team, helping to deliver first aid to Gaza’s donkeys. This week, I want to share an update from the West Bank. Dr Rakan and Nour were called out to help a donkey whose hooves were in an awful state – the owner had tried to trim them with an axe! Thankfully, our mobile team was there to help: to repair the damage, relieve the donkey’s pain, and make sure the owner had the right medication to aid recovery. Thank you, as always, for helping the donkeys, mules and horses who need us most. With my warmest wishes, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office   Update from Dr Rakan in the West Bank We were travelling through local villages to reach our destination in Tulkarm, a city in the West Bank, when I got a phone call from a local farmer we’d visited a few months ago. He told me he’d bought a new donkey whose hooves were very long and badly cracked. So, we changed direction and drove further to reach him. Close-up of the donkey’s cracked hooves before treatment It was clear when we arrived that the donkey had been neglected for a long time. His hooves were in terrible condition. He had a broken back hoof-pastern axis - a misalignment of the hoof - which had caused swelling and painful pressure points. Dr Rakan sterilises and bandages the donkey’s hooves to prevent infection Sadly, his previous owner had tried to trim the hooves himself - using an axe! This only made things worse, creating a severe hoof angle and further injury. Combined with poor living conditions, the hooves had become inflamed and infected. Nour gently works on the donkey’s hooves, trimming and rasping to restore a healthy shape Nour, our farrier, carefully trimmed the hooves back to a normal angle and inspected the soles, toes and frog (the spongy tissue in a donkey's hoof). He also rasped the hoof walls - an essential part of proper hoof care. I also shaved the hair around the hooves to check for any hidden lesions. I found a wound and cleaned it thoroughly, washing it several times with antiseptic to remove dead tissue. Then I bandaged the hooves with a sterile wrap to keep them clean and protected while they heal. The owner receives medicine and instructions for follow-up care from Dr Rakan We gave the donkey antibiotics and pain relief, and provided the new owner with enough medication to continue treatment for the next few weeks. We will of course keep in contact with the owner to make sure the donkey’s condition continues to improve. Thank You  Because of you, our mobile vet teams in the West Bank can reach donkeys like this one - bringing treatment, relief and care where it’s needed most. Your generosity also helps our mobile teams in Gaza and Egypt, and ensures the rescued donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank receive the daily care they deserve. All our work is only possible because of you. Thank you for giving so many animals the chance of a better, healthier life. Donate today Dr Rakan was only able to care for this donkey thanks to you - thank you so much 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.

7 photos showing the care given to working horses, donkeys and mules across the Westbank regardless of an enormous shortage of everything for veterinary care

 

Dear Friend I wanted to begin by reassuring you that all of our rescue donkeys at the sanctuary in Israel, and at our rescue centre and hospital in the West Bank, are safe and well - despite the recent, distressing reports of wildfires in the region. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and will take action if needed. For now, our vital work continues as normal - and today, I’m pleased to share an update from our dedicated vet teams in the West Bank. I also want to say a heartfelt thank you for your incredible support of our Easter Appeal. Your generosity is helping us equip vet teams across all our programmes - in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt - with the tools they need to treat donkeys, mules and horses in urgent need. Thanks to you, countless working animals will get the expert veterinary care they deserve. We’re so grateful to have you with us. With kindest regards, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office PS. There's still time to donate to our appeal.     News from the West Bank Our teams have been busy over the past few weeks, caring for donkeys, mules and horses right across the West Bank. Builder donkeys are so hardworking and deserve to receive the best possible vet care. Dr Rakan and his team treat all sorts of working animals - including builder donkeys, who carry heavy loads up steps and through tight alleyways, just like the ones you can see above and below. Nour gives this hardworking builder donkey a much-needed hoof trim. We pay extra attention to their hooves - builder donkeys carry such heavy loads that any pain or injury can make their lives even harder. Regular hoof checks and treatment are a big part of keeping them comfortable. Builder donkeys are so hardworking and deserve to receive the best possible vet care. Sometimes our work in the West Bank takes real patience. Dr Rakan recently heard from an owner whose horse had escaped from his stable and become badly tangled in barbed wire. The poor horse was left with a painful injury. Because of ongoing road blocks in the region, it took a few days for Dr Rakan to reach him - but he didn’t give up. Our vet teams always persevere, no matter how tough things get. Your support means we can be there to help horses in desperate need - just like this horse with awful leg wounds to his front (shown above) and back legs. Dr Rakan explained to the owner that the horse’s wounds were deep and would take time to heal – but he made sure he had everything he needed, including all the right medication to continue the horse's treatment.  And of course, Dr Rakan will be back soon to check on the horse and provide any extra treatment that may be needed. Dr Rakan treated the leg wounds to make sure the horse was comfortable and able to recover. It’s thanks to your support that Dr Rakan and his team can be there for animals like this – no matter how challenging it is to reach them. Your kindness helps give working horses, donkeys and mules the care they need, and the chance of a healthier, more comfortable life. Thank you for making this work possible. 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. If you’ve already donated to our Easter Equip a Vet Appeal thank you so much – but there's still time to donate to help fund vital medications and equipment like bandages, antibiotics and pain relief, so our teams can treat animals in urgent need. Help Us Equip a Vet 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 Want to change how you receive t