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Rescued By: Nowzad Donkey Sanctuary, Kabul, Afghanistan

Home: Nowzad Donkey Sanctuary, Kabul, Afghanistan

Whilst carrying out a spay, neuter and vaccination drive at a Migrant Camp, a horse was found amongst the waste in a disused area of the settlement. The horse was attempting to find whatever food she could scavenge and was eating plastic and dirt. She was in a seriously bad condition, with severe malnutrition, dehydration and sores all over her body from being worked too hard. 

The Nowzad team were saddened at the extent of the horse’s treatment and questioned the camp residents about the care of the horse. The horse was only between 5 to 7 years old, but had been overworked to the point of collapse.

Because she was no longer of use, she had been discarded (still tethered) in the ‘waste’ area of the camp, with an old blanket tied to her. Najwa, Nowzad’s Country Manager, made it her personal mission to rescue the horse. After much persuasion, she convinced the people in the camp to let the horse be taken from them and arranged collection of her.

Two days later, the horse arrived at the Nowzad clinic. The first thing Najwa did was give her a name, ‘Azad’, which is Dari for ‘free’. She also received intense medical treatment for her sores and injured leg, her hooves were also treated by a farrier and she has been given lots of fresh, nutritious food and plenty of clean water and vitamins.

Azad is enjoying life at Nowzad, she is still quite fearful of people, but has warmed to Najwa and our muleteer ‘Juma’ and allows him to brush her daily.

Welcome Azad, the first ever Nowzad Horse.

Rescued by: HIS-India

Home: Camel Rescue Centre

Blackie is 10 – 12 years old and was rescued in December 2015 from Shahjahanpur. He was going to a slaughter house. At the time he was rescued, he had a black spot of dye at his neck, so Camel Rescue Centre staff started calling him Black Necked Camel, which was eventually shortened to Blackie.

Blackie has a benign tumour under his neck, which is probably why he couldn’t work and was sent to the slaughterhouse. The tumour will be surgically removed when necessary. Blackie is a very calm, good-natured camel who enjoys being let out of his stable to feed. He prefers to eat ground nut straw and enjoys the company of his caretaker, Kamlesh, who gives him lots of deserved attention.

Rescued by: Animal Nepal, Dhobighat, Lalitpur, Nepal

Home: Dukuchhap Donkey Sanctuary, Nepal

In the first week of May, members of Animal Nepal’s Equine Outreach Team rescued a young mule from Bungamati brick kiln in Lalitpur. The mule had suffered a fracture about a year ago but his owner had not sought medical treatment for the injury, which resulted in improper healing. Despite this, the mule continued to be used to carry loads, which would have caused him a lot of pain and discomfort. The team spoke to the owner on several occasions, advising him that it is both illegal and morally unacceptable to put a disabled animal to work. However, he continued as before and would hide the mule whenever the team visited. Finally, it was decided that the mule had to be rescued, because leaving him under the care of his owner would only make his condition worse. He has been taken to the donkey sanctuary in Dukuchhap. His leg will never be fully healed, but we are hopeful that with the right care, this young mule will have a long and happy life at our sanctuary, especially as he has now made friends with our residents BB and Manuka. 

This young mule has been named Jackie, after Jackie Wigh, an AAA member and long term supporter, who was travelling with the AAA group in January 2019 and visited not only the sanctuary, but also the brick kiln (where Jackie was rescued).

Rescued by: Bridging Lanka

Home: Mannar Donkey Sanctuary

In November 2017, a male foal arrived at the Mannar Donkey Sanctuary. The staff named him Jaime. Jaime had significant burns to his body caused by intentional animal cruelty — he was likely set on fire.

With daily application of ointments and proper care, Jaime is now a happy, healthy foal. He has a ginger-tinged coat and is very energetic and playful. He prefers green fodder to the drier copra (poonak), and his caretakers love doting on him.

Rescued By: Nowzad Donkey Sanctuary, Kabul, Afghanistan

Home: Nowzad Donkey Sanctuary, Kabul, Afghanistan

Lola the donkey, was discovered near to where she was being made to work. She was tied to a weighted piece of wood to stop her roaming. Her ear had been completely cut off and the wound had not been treated. The sight of this cold and frightened little donkey was heart breaking.  The Nowzad team comforted her by wrapping her in a discarded blanket they found nearby, and treating the wound as best they could on the spot. A truck was called to take Lola to the safety of the Nowzad donkey sanctuary, where she could be cared for and receive further medical treatment.

Here, over the course of just a few weeks, Lola has learnt to trust our donkey carer ‘Nasir’. They have formed a really close bond. As soon as Nasir arrives for work each morning, Lola rushes straight over to greet him.

Rescued By: Donkey Sanctuary Bukombe, Tanzania run by Tanzania Humane Charity

Home: Donkey Sanctuary Bukombe, Tanzania run by Tanzania Humane Charity

On the 7th July,  Richard from partner group, Tanzania Humane Charity, was given a tip off of 34 donkeys hidden in a big gully with no feed and water. The gully was narrow but deep and both its terminals were closed with twigs of pine trees to avoid donkeys from escaping. All donkeys were restricted in this way so they will be starved and then slaughtered for their skins, leaving their skeletons and muscles behind. The donkey skin trade is operating throughout the country and donkeys are sourced legally and illegally.

Richard and his team from THC reacted quickly and opened the lower gate so the donkeys could be rescued. They gave the donkeys water, green pasture, dry hay and maize bran for a couple of days under their guard. They announced to the neighbouring communities of the situation and ten donkey owners came and identified 32 donkeys. Two donkeys were left with no owner so they now live safely at the new Donkey Sanctuary in Bukombe that has been funded solely by Animal Aid Abroad.

Lawi’s welfare status is now good; body condition score has improved from 2 to 3. No wounds, no sign of illness, no lameness  and his behaviour is good now that he has been treated.

Lawi's best mate is Cheusi, another donkey rescued from the gully.

Rescued by: Animal Nepal, Nepal

Home : Godavari Donkey Sanctuary

Markhu is a male horse who in 2015 was rescued from Bhaktapur district. At that time, he had overgrown hoofs and was limping. Nowadays Markhu adores running around our fields with his friends and is very fond of grazing. Markhu is very healthy and we groom him regularly, which he enjoys thoroughly.  He is very friendly with all our team members, however, he tends to kick from both front and back when he gets upset. He also has a tendency to bite when he is over excited. He loves rolling in the sand and will plunge into the sandpit any chance he gets. Blessed with a good appetite he is quite the eater and gobbles most of the treats given to him.

Rescued by: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi, India

Home: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi, India

Noori is doing well thanks to a new friendship with another donkey. She was always wary and shy, maybe due to the fact that she was isolated on arrival for a long time due to the nature of her injury - a split muzzle that made it difficult for her to eat anything but liquid. But it had got worse after she got kicked by another donkey couple of years back. In fact she had withdrawn into herself so much that the caretakers started worrying about her health and mind. But surprisingly Noori suddenly started picking up a few months back and the credit all goes to a young female donkey Peepli who struck up an unexpected connection with Noori. Now Noori has a new friend and a new purpose to life. We think that is what she was missing in her life. Some company, some support and a friend. Peepli seems to have opened a completely new world to Noori and a completely new side of Noori to us. She is much more open and confident than before. She is always trailing Peepli and follows her to eat without any prompting. She is still a little unhappy around the other donkeys but prefers her new friend to shunning the other donkeys. Hopefully it will only get better and Noori will be a much happier girl in the future. 

Rescued by: Animal Nepal Godavari Donkey Sanctuary, Nepal

Home: Animal Nepal Godavari Donkey Sanctuary, Nepal

Noby is an 8 year old male horse. He easily the most handsome equine, and is a bit choosy when it comes to who he wants to hang around with. Noby, along with his other friends at the sanctuary go through their regular maintenance of teeth and hoof trimming and are kept in tip-top condition. He is obviously very proud of his beautiful hair and loves to be brushed. Noby does not like his face to be touched, so we take care not to do so.Our doctor Sajana, is very fond of him and Noby tends to respond to her much better than our other caretakers. He does not have any major health issues and is spending his days happily with other members in the shelter.

Rescued by: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi

Home: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi

Radha is catching up with her and she had been left very weak after a bout of illness. The vets had also warned us about winter taking its toll on her and her survival was at stake. Thankfully we had a lean winter and the arrangements made at the sanctuary for the older horses last winter ensured that Radha made it and regained her strength. She is presently enjoying the sun on her old and much abused bones. She spends a lot of time outdoors, and even enjoys an occasional short canter all on her own. After she was out of her quarantine period following her illness last year, she at last joined the old herd although she stands at the edge and is aloof. Tolerance and social niceties are too much to expect of her at this stage in life. The other horses do not trouble her, and she is leading a quiet, peaceful life on her own terms. Hopefully she will be with us for a few more years.

Rescued by: Animal Nepal, Nepal

Home : Godavari Donkey Sanctuary

 Shakti is another beautiful female horse. She’s quite possessive about her meals and tends to get snappy if someone tries to take her share. She used to have a secret crush on Buddy and felt sad when Buddy had to be put down. Overall, she’s friendly and has a tendency to put on weight and from time to time; our caretakers had to put her a diet! If she gets irritated she will bite the person close to her. Shakti is especially fond of Tara, our para-vet and relies on her a lot.

Rescued by: Pegasus Sanctuary, Ramla, Israel

Home: Pegasus Sanctuary, Ramla, Israel

Shmaya has been with Pegasus since 2005, even before Pegasus was established - in fact he's one of the reasons for its existence!His ears were cruelly cut off and he was abused by his owners, but this lucky boy has been living happily on the sanctuary ever since his rescue. Shmaya cannot hear the sounds of farm life around him but he certainly adds to the symphony as he jumps and plays with his friends, always taking a break to greet any visitors that come into the stables. Shmaya is a healthy and happy donkey here in the sanctuary and helps us rehabilitate all the newcomers.

Rescued by: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi

Home: Friendicoes SECA, Gurgaon Sanctuary, New Delhi

Tapi's years are catching up with her. At the time of rescue she was already 7-8 years old. And the hard years before her rescue and difficult pregnancy and delivery have contributed to her ageing quickly. She was never a very responsive girl but over the last 6 and a half years she has withdrawn more into herself. Though the average life of donkeys in captivity is 25 years working donkeys in India are lucky to have 15 good years. Tapi is now around 15 years old roughly by our calculation but looks closer to 25. She has become slow and senile. She refuses to budge from a spot for hours on end. Coaxing her to eat is a special job of the caretakers. And they have their work cut out trying to herd her into the shaded area during bad weather. Sometimes 2-3 staff have to almost lift her and carry her in while trying to ensure they do not get kicked for their efforts. 

Tapi's years are catching up with her. At the time of rescue she was already 7-8 years old. And the hard years before her rescue and difficult pregnancy and delivery have contributed to her ageing quickly. She was never a very responsive girl but over the last 6 and a half years she has withdrawn more into herself. Though the average life of donkeys in captivity is 25 years working donkeys in India are lucky to have 15 good years. Tapi is now around 15 years old roughly by our calculation but looks closer to 25. She has become slow and senile. She refuses to budge from a spot for hours on end. Coaxing her to eat is a special job of the caretakers. And they have their work cut out trying to herd her into the shaded area during bad weather. Sometimes 2-3 staff have to almost lift her and carry her in while trying to ensure they do not get kicked for their efforts. 

There is no doubt that Koyna is an extraordinary girl! After all, she survived a difficult birth when her mom lay unattended in a forgotten back lane for many long hours in the freezing cold. She has grown up into this smart, playful girl who is wildly popular and overly loved. You will never miss her in a crowd because there is always some activity happening around Koyna. She has this knack of butting her nose in everyone's business but get away without offending anyone. Such is her charm! The little monkey.