Improving the Lives of Animals in South Africa + a New Rescue!

Thanks to our fantastic supporters, Blind Love in South Africa could treat 44 working donkeys and 110 cart horses during their May outreach days.

DONKEY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Blind Love’s donkey outreach day was held on May 24th. Many children attended with the donkey owners. They were eager to assist with lifting tails to check for ticks and pointing out any minor wounds that needed cleaning.

All donkeys who attended were treated for parasites, then their legs were cleaned and sprayed for flies. Harnesses were checked and replaced as required. Twelve more humane harnesses were distributed.

Blind Love saw one donkey with a sarcoid on the side of his tail, which vet Dr Annie will be treating. Another female donkey had a tin can stuck over her hoof, which the owner had managed to cut off. Thankfully, there was just a very small rub from the can around her leg that was easily cleaned. A couple of male donkeys attended with bites on their necks from fighting with other males. These were not serious wounds, so were simply cleaned and sprayed with antibiotic wound spray. 

Incredibly, a very elderly donkey attended (over 27 years old!) who has been pulling a cart his whole life. Blind Love suggested letting the old boy retire and managed to convince the owner to sell him to them so he can live out the remainder of his life at their sanctuary. He has settled in beautifully and is enjoying nutritious meals, fresh hay, constant grazing, sunbathing and just enjoying life. Although his name still hasn’t been decided on, the team may call him OuBaas, meaning old boss!

Blind Love are also gearing up for the Donkey Carnival on June 7th. This is an annual event for donkey owners and Dr Annie will be in attendance together with the state vet. They will treat donkeys, carts will be repaired, and they will have classes with small prizes. Local farmers will also donate food for the donkeys.

WORKING HORSES OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Blind Love held no less than ten outreach days for working horses during May, seeing a total of 110 horses.

The team have been holding outreaches more often due to the threat of African Horse Sickness (AHS). They distributed as many supportive treatments as they could and are continuing to educate owners on AHS symptoms and prevention. Thankfully, with colder weather approaching, no new cases of AHS were seen during May. Blind Love are raising funds for an AHS vaccination campaign and are hoping to vaccinate 500 horses before the onset of the next season.

At the outreaches, the vet team treated some saddles sores and harness-related rubs. All horses were treated with oral ivermectin, which is believed to assist with preventing AHS. Hooves were checked, cleaned and trimmed as needed, and harnesses were also checked, adjusted and replaced where required.

Thank you so much to all our supporters for your ongoing generosity and for caring so deeply about working animals. You are changing lives and alleviating suffering, not only in South Africa, but around the globe.