Our three veterinary teams in the West Bank face more than just traffic on their rounds. Every morning, they check a special app on their phones – it shows which areas are safe to work in that day, marked red, amber, or green.
Only the green zones are safe enough for them to travel to, and they carefully plan their routes to protect both themselves and the animals they care for. The rescue centre at Arrana is blessedly consistent – always in the green zone – so the donkeys there are safe and well.
Still, increased checkpoints across the West Bank make every journey longer and more difficult. But no matter how many stops they face, the teams keep going. Every day, they reach working donkeys, mules, and horses – treating painful wounds, easing lameness, and giving owners advice to keep their animals healthy.
Our vet care is always free of charge. For many, it’s the only veterinary help the animals will ever receive – and it means the difference between an animal suffering in silence or living free from pain.
This is all thanks to you – thank you so much for all your support.
News from the West Bank
On a recent visit, Dr Eyed was called out by a new owner who had just rescued a horse in extremely poor condition. The horse’s body score was worryingly low, the result of long-term neglect by his previous owner.
During the visit, Dr Eyed rasped the horse’s teeth to make eating easier, administered deworming treatment, and provided oral vitamins and other supplements to support his health.
Dr Eyed was able to provide vital support to this horse who desperately needed veterinary care.
The new owner has promised to feed and care for him well, and Dr Eyed will re-evaluate the horse on his next visit. With proper nutrition and ongoing veterinary care, there’s every chance this horse will fully recover.
Nour provides guidance on caring for hooves – necessary to keep equines in good health.
Recently, Dr Rakan has been sharing his skills and experience with veterinary students keen to learn more about caring for working animals.
One trainee, Dr Izz Hamad, joined the team for a busy training period, seeing more than 80 cases and assisting with treatments in the field – from wound care and parasite control to dental work and vaccinations.
Dr Izz was able to learn more about specialist care for donkeys and horses – including the importance of trimming hooves.
During the day, our team were able to treat 34 working donkeys and horses – as well as providing hands-on training to six trainees, including vet students, teachers, and recent graduates.
Dr Shaaban uses ultrasound to examine a donkey with a long-term leg injury – showing trainees how to diagnose and treat tendon problems.
Dr Izz also learned safe and effective animal handling, and how to diagnose and treat common conditions in horses and donkeys. The training included visits to remote areas, where Dr Izz saw first-hand the impact of owners not knowing how to care for their animals – and how timely veterinary care can save lives.
Dr Izz was grateful to Dr Rakan for providing specialist training which he can use to help donkeys, mules and horses in the future.
One of Dr Rakan’s team, farrier Wael, recently treated a severe case of overgrown hooves. With careful, patient work, he trimmed the donkey’s hooves as close as possible to their normal length.
This donkey’s hooves were severely overgrown – we were also able to provide a chain cover for his nose.
The change was instant – within just a few steps, the donkey was already walking more comfortably.
Thanks to Wael the donkey’s hooves were soon near to their normal length.
None of this vital work – from treating rescued horses, to training new vets, and giving working animals relief from painful hooves – would be possible without your generosity. To our regular donors in particular, thank you for your monthly gifts.
However you support us, you are helping our vet teams to be there for every animal who needs us.
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.
Your support helps us care for thousands of donkeys, mules and horses every month. Thank you.