World Donkey Day - Serpentine Festival
After a lot of heavy rain the night before, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the weather stayed clear all day for our Animal Aid Abroad stall at the Serpentine Farm and Food festival held just outside Perth, on Saturday May 3, for WORLD DONKEY DAY (May 8).
Image Credit: Richard Polden Photography
We collaborated with the wonderful ladies from the WA Donkey Society to raise awareness for World Donkey Day on May 8th (thank you, Dawn and Rachael!). They brought their beautiful donkeys, O’Reilley and Denzil, who did a fantastic job attracting visitors. So many children were ecstatic to pet these gentle sweethearts and then eagerly browsed our merchandise selection.
The timing of this festival was perfect, occurring just before World Donkey Day, and we made sure everyone who passed by could see our signage highlighting that these wonderful equines have their own special day—rightfully so.
Raising awareness for these often-forgotten animals worldwide reminds everyone of how intelligent and hardworking donkeys are, and unfortunately, how they are abused in many parts of the world. In developing nations and impoverished regions, donkeys are still used as beasts of burden, replacing trucks, cars, and modern transportation to carry agricultural produce or mining products. Moreover, in regions lacking modernisation, there are often cultural beliefs that do not prioritise animal welfare, neglecting the need to provide shelter, food, rest, and medical treatment for donkeys that enable them to earn a living. Education is a major goal for AAA when it comes to donkey ownership; if we can help owners care for their animals, we’ve accomplished half of our mission.
AAA’s overarching goal is to reduce the unnecessary suffering of working donkeys globally and to encourage appreciation of their value among those who use them.
On World Donkey Day, we share this sentiment, hoping that those who learn about us will join us in our aspirations for working donkeys everywhere.
Many people who stopped to chat at the festival felt the same way we do about the treatment of working donkeys and animals in general. They were willing to contribute financially to support AAA in our crucial work. I felt immensely proud to represent AAA at this event and continue sharing our message.
A vet nurse student asked about volunteering, and a couple of vet students also inquired about how they could collaborate with our groups overseas that are doing such valuable work. It’s so rewarding to know that the 'next generation' is eager to engage in this vital work.
All of today’s earnings will go directly towards AAA’s current campaign: The Cost of Gold – Tanzania’s working donkeys.
This campaign, running during May and June, will be providing support for hard working donkeys at gold mines in Geita, Tanzania, who are forced to haul timber and heavy loads of dirt and rock from small local gold mines whose owners can’t afford machinery. Instead of rest, these donkeys are driven until their bodies give out from injury, disease, or pure exhaustion.
Other causes of death at these mine sites include tetanus (a savage way to die, and completely avoidable with the correct medications), difficult delivery of foals, untreated broken bones, malnutrition and infected wounds. The list is endless, and the suffering intolerable. And it can all be improved…with your help.
Please read “The Cost of Gold – Tanzania’s working donkeys” on our website for more information on this sad situation https://www.animalaidabroad.org/geita-donkeys
We need your help to reduce the horrendous suffering that these gentle, innocent donkeys are experiencing each and every day.
If you are reading this, you probably love animals….so please consider donating today. We utilise every dollar of your generous donations to support this work.
As long as there are working animals, living difficult and sometimes cruel lives, forgotten by most of us as we go about our daily routines, we won’t stop our efforts to help them.
Thank you for all you do for working animals. ❤️🐴
