Safe Haven for Donkeys Blog

This week, we’re catching up with Dr Ahmed and our veterinary team in Gaza, where your kindness is helping injured donkeys receive their skilled and patient care.  Below, we share the story of one donkey whose treatment is continuing, and explain why working donkeys in Gaza wear blinkers. And please look out for our email…

Do you remember the donkey that featured in our recent appeal, who had been attacked by a dog while she was grazing? Her ears were badly injured, and she needed urgent help from Dr Rakan. I’m so pleased to share some good news with you today: her wounds have now completely healed, and she’s gained some much-needed weight.  After…

This week’s update is from our sanctuary in Israel, to catch up with some of the donkeys you’re helping us care for. There’s news of our newest resident – Shemesh – as she settles in, some familiar faces enjoying each other’s company, and a little donkey getting to know the wider herd. Thanks to you,…

I wanted to share an update from Dr Ahmed Thabet and our veterinary team in Gaza. For many injured donkeys, the first visit is only the beginning. As Dr Ahmed’s update shows, checking on an animal and treating them again can make a real difference to their recovery. Next month, we’ll share more about the…

This week, I’d like to introduce you to two of the people caring for working donkeys and horses in Aswan, Egypt – vet Dr Ahmed and animal health worker Ali. Together, they are our mobile veterinary team travelling out to communities, treating animals who might otherwise struggle to get the veterinary care they need. I…

This week, I’m taking you to Arrana, our rescue centre in the West Bank, where a small herd of rescued donkeys enjoys the care and kindness you’ve made possible. Among them are Blondie and Rakan the donkey. Both needed urgent help when they were rescued. Today, their lives look wonderfully different, and I’m so pleased…

Earlier this summer, many of you, our wonderful supporters, responded to our appeal to help our veterinary teams continue reaching working donkeys and horses across the West Bank. So this week, I wanted to show you some of the care your donations are helping to provide. Dr Eyad and our Hebron team recently travelled to Al…

It may still be summer here in the UK, but our sanctuary team are already looking ahead to the wetter months coming up in Israel – and making sure our rescue donkeys will be warm and dry for when winter arrives. I also have a little update for you on Shemesh, our newest rescue, who is continuing…

A few weeks ago, we shared the news that Dr Saif had sadly left Gaza. Today, we’re very pleased to introduce you to Dr Ahmed Thabet and the vet team who are continuing our work to help Gaza’s donkeys. Dr Ahmed is joined by two other vets and a veterinary assistant. Together, they strengthen our veterinary…

This week, I wanted to share a lovely example of how your support continues to make a difference to donkeys, long after a donation is made. Earlier this year, our brick kiln team in Egypt introduced a new initiative – providing first aid boxes to stockmen. We funded ten first aid boxes, which contain basic medial supplies in how to care…

You may remember that I recently shared an update from our Nablus team in the West Bank, who were forced to turn back from a trip to Senjil, due to road blocks. But they were determined not to let the day go to waste. The team quickly changed course and travelled through several villages before reaching Mazare’…

This week, I’d like to take you to a small farm in Egypt, where a five-month-old foal had stopped doing what he loved most – running around and getting into mischief. His family affectionately call him “Little Naughty”. But when a rapidly growing swelling appeared beside his eye, this playful youngster became quiet and withdrawn.…

Before we share this week’s update from the West Bank and the hardships they are currently experiencing, I wanted to let you know about a change to our Gaza programme. Many of you will be sorry to hear that Dr Saif has recently left Gaza to begin a new chapter overseas. We are deeply grateful…

This week, I wanted to share some important news. At the end of this year, our Chief Executive Officer, Andy Foxcroft, will retire after many years of dedicated service to the charity. Andy has played an enormously important role in Safe Haven’s story, helping to grow our work across Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and…

I wanted to begin by saying thank you for all of your support – please know that you are directly helping donkeys, mules and horses in need. Your kindness is helping our mobile teams reach animals in some of the most difficult and dangerous places imaginable. We’ll be telling you more about the current issues…

I wanted to share a lovely update from our rescue centre in Arrana, in the West Bank, where around 34 rescued donkeys are now safe in our care. Every donkey at Arrana has known hardship in some form. Some have suffered neglect, others have been badly treated or simply had nowhere safe to go. Thanks…

Thank you so much to everyone who gave so generously to our Easter appeal earlier this year. Thanks to your kindness, we have been able to fund a new community vet team in Egypt, led by Dr Ahmed, with vital hoof care provided by Ali, our farrier. This team is now bringing much-needed care to…

Thank you, as always, for your kindness and support. Because of you, our sanctuary in Israel remains a safe haven for 180 rescued donkeys who have suffered neglect, abuse or abandonment. This week, I wanted to share a glimpse of everyday life at the sanctuary. From hoof trimming and feeding time, to special treats and…

Thanks to your kindness, our mobile veterinary team in Gaza have remained active throughout May, reaching working animals across Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah and Rafah. Among them were 487 donkeys and horses – animals that have become essential for transporting water, food, supplies and people in communities where normal infrastructure has largely collapsed. The need…

Thank you so much for your continued support of our work helping donkeys across the Middle East. Because of your kindness, donkeys who have suffered neglect, abuse and hardship can receive the care and attention they deserve. Today, we’re bringing you an update from our rescue centre in Arrana, over in the West Bank, where…

Because of your kindness, we’re able to care for donkeys and horses across Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt – providing emergency veterinary treatment in crisis areas and lifelong sanctuary care for rescued donkeys who have nowhere else to go. Today, we wanted to share a little update from our sanctuary in Israel, where there’s been…

Thank you so much for your continued support for donkeys, horses and mules in desperate need. Today, I wanted to share an update from Dr Rakan, who heads up one of our mobile veterinary teams in the West Bank. Thanks to your kindness, Dr Rakan was able to reach a tiny seven-day-old foal who was…

I wanted to send you a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of our work helping donkeys, horses and mules in crisis areas. Today’s update shares some of the latest emergency cases our team has responded to on the ground. I hope it helps show the difference your support is making for animals who…

Thank you once again to everyone who supported our Easter Appeal. Last week, we shared how your donations are already helping working donkeys through the new First Aid boxes being introduced at ten ‘green’ brick kilns in Egypt. Today, I’m so pleased to bring you another update on your support – this time through the launch of our new…

This week, I wanted to show you exactly how your donations to our Easter appeal are already being put to work – and to say a heartfelt thank you. Because of your kindness, I’m so pleased to share this first update – to show how you’re helping bring practical, immediate care to donkeys working in…