I’m so pleased to say we’ve had some encouraging news from Gaza. The food and medical aid originally sent to Dr Saif and his team last year has finally crossed the Rafah border, and we’re now waiting to hear when Dr Saif will be able to collect it. This will make a huge difference to animals still facing extremely tough conditions.
Your support make this possible – and it also enables our mobile vet teams across all our programme areas to reach working animals who urgently need care.
Today, I’d like to share an update from Egypt, where our teams in the brick kilns of El Saf are caring for donkeys and mules who would have no other help if it wasn’t for their mobile clinics. Dr Shaaban has been treating some particularly vulnerable animals in recent weeks, and thanks to your generosity, their lives are changing for the better.
Dr Shaaban’s update from El Saf, Egypt
When we arrived at the brick kilns, we found a gentle 9-year-old donkey lying on the ground, unable to stand on his left forelimb. The pain was so intense he couldn’t begin his morning work. His owner explained that the lameness had come on suddenly.
Unable to stand, this donkey was in intense pain when the team arrived.
I carried out a full lameness exam, including nerve blocks to pinpoint the area causing the most pain, followed by X-ray imaging. The results showed severe tendonitis – a painful inflammation of the tendons.
Supportive bandaging to ease pressure and help healing.
I prescribed full rest, anti-inflammatory medication and supportive bandaging, and talked with his owner about the importance of giving the tendon time to heal.
We monitored him closely. With every visit, I could see small but steady improvements. Today, he’s walking comfortably again, free from lameness and back on his feet.
Back on his feet and walking comfortably again after weeks of care.
The work here is constant. Each day, we treat animals with wounds, hoof abscesses and lameness brought on by tough living and working conditions. Recently, we cared for a mule with an infected wound on his limb that had left him struggling to bear weight.
The mule struggling with a painful, infected limb wound.
Using injectable anaesthesia, we cleaned the wound thoroughly and removed the dead tissue so healthy healing could begin. We applied a firm bandage and started him on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to control the infection and reduce pain.
Dr Shaaban carefully cleaning the wound under anaesthesia, removing dead tissue so healthy healing can begin.
While we focus on medical treatment, my colleague Moharram moves through the kilns checking harnesses, trimming hooves and making sure the donkeys are comfortable. At the same time, Amr distributes feed rich in nutrients and energy to support their recovery and daily work.
The mule standing calmly with his bandaged hoof after treatment.
We are deeply proud of the progress we see. Life in the kilns is hard, but with steady care, compassion and guidance for owners, the welfare of these hardworking animals is improving every day. Thank you for all your support to our work.
Dr Shaaban, Safe Haven’s lead vet in El Saf, Egypt
Thank you ♥️♥️
Everything our vet teams in Egypt are doing right now – reaching working animals in the brick kilns and giving help where it’s needed most – is only possible because of you. Your regular support also means our teams in the West Bank and Gaza can continue their vital work, and the rescued donkeys in our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank receive the daily care they rely on.
Thank you for bringing comfort and healing to the donkeys, mules and horses who depend on us every single day.
Amr distributes feed rich in nutrients and energy to support the recovery and daily work of the hardworking donkeys and mules in the brick kilns. We can only do this with your support.