Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA):Safe, clean drinking water is essential for the survival of working animals. It is a necessity, not a luxury (video)

https://spana.org/about-us/our-work/ more information about this fantastic organisation

Today, on International Working Animal Day, we’re raising awareness of the global water crisis – and the devastating impact it is having on working animals and the communities that rely on them. From climate-related events, such as droughts and flooding, to issues such as poor infrastructure and a lack of piped water, many communities across the world are facing a shortage of clean drinking water. Families in the countries we work are often forced to travel long distances to collect water from wells, pumps and natural sources which are often unsafe to drink from. And it is working animals who are relied upon to transport this water. Yet, during times of crisis, they are usually the last to receive the drinking water they need. Lack of water can lead to issues such as dehydration, organ failure, colic and even death. And, even when water is available, it can often be contaminated by bacteria, viruses and parasites, which causes further complications for working animals. Safe, clean drinking water is essential for the survival of working animals. It is a necessity, not a luxury, and we believe that working animals deserve access to water that is essential for their health, not threatens it. Across the world, we are working alongside our partners to help working animals affected by the water crisis:   In Zimbabwe, we drilled four solar-powered boreholes in drought-stricken villages to provide water for working animals and the communities that rely on them. In Morocco, we built ten drinking fountains for Marrakech’s caleche horses. The fountains are filled and maintained by a SPANA water cart to ensure animals working in the heat have access to fresh water. In Mauritania, we provide veterinary care for donkeys that transport water from standpipes to households across the city. Our teams also offer guidance to owners on proper handling and harnessing techniques to ensure good animal welfare. This work is only possible due to the kindness of our supporters, whose generosity ensures we can be there for working animals who need it most. Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that working animals supporting communities through the water crisis receive the care that they deserve. One such animal we have helped is Alnair, a donkey from Mauritania. In the capital city of Nouakchott, where piped water is inaccessible to many, donkeys like Alnair are essential - hauling water from standpipes to households across the city. The work is exhausting, but vital in helping families access the clean water they need to survive. Our team met Alnair at a SPANA mobile clinic that was visiting the Dar Naïm region of Nouakchott. His owner, Moubarek, had travelled with his donkey for veterinary help after noticing Alnair was constantly scratching himself. After a thorough check-up, the vets diagnosed the donkey with mange – an extremely itchy and contagious skin disease caused by mites which had started around Alnair’s ears and had spread to other areas of his body. The team set to work cleaning the affected areas of his skin and administering an anti-parasitic treatment to treat the mites. Moubarek was advised to keep Alnair away from other animals, and to clean his shelter thoroughly, before bringing him back for a check-up and further treatment in 15 days’ time. Thanks to the kindness of our supporters, our teams can continue to ensure that working animals like Alnair are not forgotten in times of crisis. Find out more about Alnair’s story by clicking the button below: In Turkana County, Kenya, the longest drought the country has experienced in 40 years is having devastating effects. Thousands of donkeys and camels are suffering. Many have already lost their lives. With our local partner Utunzi Animal Welfare, SPANA is aiming to provide emergency feed and water to 10,000 donkeys and 10,000 camels in desperate need. But while we meet the urgent needs of these animals, we’re also working to prevent future suffering. We’re helping local communities build resilience by providing access to reliable water sources, even during the harshest droughts. By establishing water committees, we’re empowering communities to manage their resources and safeguard animal welfare for years to come. The situation is critical. Without immediate action more animals will die. Your support today could provide lifesaving feed and water for animals in need, like those in Kenya. Will you help working animals survive and recover, no matter where disaster strikes?

SPANA PO Box 79509, London, EC4P 4ND, United Kingdom  hello@spana.org | +44 (0)20 7831 3999 Copyright © 2025 SPANA | All rights reserved. Registered in England. Company Number: 558085, Registered Charity Number: 209015. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive emails from SPANA.   Privacy policy | Update your details | Unsubscribe

Dear friends, 7 photos from the Westbank where free veterinary care for donkeys, horses and mules from busy city markets to rural areas are a lifeline for working animals

 

Dear Friend

Every day, our hardworking veterinary teams travel across the West Bank to bring vital free veterinary care to donkeys, mules, and horses. From busy city markets to remote hillsides, they are a lifeline for working animals and the people in the West Bank who depend on them.

Thanks to your generous support of our recent vet kit appeal, these teams - along with our vet teams in Gaza and Egypt - are now better equipped than ever.

The new equipment and medicines you helped to fund are already making a real difference - and in this week’s email, we’ll take you behind the scenes with our three dedicated vet teams, led by Dr Omran, Dr Eyed, and Dr Rakan, to show you how.

We hope you enjoy the photos - and thank you again for making this work possible.

With kindest regards,

Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office

News from the West Bank

Dr Omran and his farrier Ali, travel across the hills and countryside of the West Bank to care for rural animals. Here you can see Ali fitting a head collar to a donkey - this was made possible by your support to our recent vet kit appeal.

We provide head collars to animals in the West Bank to replace painful chain collars.

Thanks to Dr Omran’s dedication, these donkeys receive the vital medical care they would otherwise go without - from wound treatment and parasite control to hoof trimming and dental checks. All this vet care is provided free thanks to your support.

Your support to our appeal helped to fund a range of medicines and treatments.

In the bustling city of Hebron, donkeys, mules and horses are used daily to pull heavy carts loaded with fruit, vegetables, and other goods. It’s hard, physical work - and Dr Eyed and his farrier Ahmad are there to make sure these animals are as healthy and pain-free as possible. They carry out regular welfare checks and provide essential treatments right where they’re needed, including at the city’s busy vegetable market.

Our vet teams visit a range of places - including busy markets.

Dr Rakan leads our team in the Nablus area, working alongside farriers Wael and Nour. They visit communities  to check on working animals, treating injuries, infections and other health issues. This includes hard-working builder donkeys who carry heavy loads of bricks.

Our vets provide a range of care, from treating simple wounds through to field operations such as castration.

The team also care for shepherd donkeys. These animals help herders look after their flocks in some of the most isolated and difficult-to-reach areas.

Shepherd donkeys bond with their herd and help to keep them safe.

Dr Rakan also runs our drop-in veterinary clinic at our Nablus hospital, where owners can bring their animals for free vet care. And he makes regular visits to the Arrana rescue centre to provide check-ups to our donkeys who live there.

Dr Rakan also provides free vet care from our Nablus hospital through a drop-in clinic.

Thank You  Everything our vet teams do to support working donkeys, mules, and horses is only possible because of you. Your generosity helps us protect animals and support their owners across the West Bank, Gaza, and Egypt - as well as care for rescued donkeys at our sanctuary in Israel and our rescue centre and hospital in the West Bank. Thank you for making this vital work possible.

Donate Today

Your support helped provide this young boy with a new body brush, so he can care for his donkey with kindness and confidence.

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.