A donkey working at a brick kiln receives treatment from a SPANA vet.
Lal receives care from a SPANA vet. Without treatment, Lal would be forced to work in pain and be at risk of disease.

How SPANA helped Lal

The exhausting work of hauling heavy bricks eventually took its toll on Lal the donkey, so his owner, Lalabhai, brought him to the SPANA mobile clinic for help.

Our team cleaned the gentle donkey’s painful wound and applied a soothing ointment to help it heal.

Lal was also treated with anti-inflammatories to reduce his pain and swelling.

Crucially, Lal was given a vaccination as he risked developing tetanus – a potentially deadly disease caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream through a wound. The vaccination could prevent Lal suffering a slow and painful death.

After providing treatment, the team advised Lalabhai to rest Lal for a week and showed him how to keep the donkey’s wound clean to avoid infection.

The vets explained that Lal’s suffering was caused by his poorly made harness, which wasn’t balancing his load or protecting his spine. Without changing his harness, Lal’s wound wouldn’t heal and he’d risk more injuries. The SPANA team invited Lalabhai to a training session to show him how to fit a padded back protector and harness made of softer material with smaller brick pouches. This would reduce the risk of overloading and prevent Lal suffering future wounds.

By fitting a safer harness and reducing his dangerous load, Lal’s quality of life drastically improved.

Working in India’s brick kilns is a living hell for animals like Lal. Will you please donate today to spare many more from agonising pain and disease? Thank you.

A donkey carries bricks next to walls of bricks in one of India's many brick kilns.
Working animals in brick kilns are at risk of injury and disease.

Every day is a living hell for animals working in brick kilns. Will you help stop their pain?

Relentlessly carrying gruelling loads leads to terrible suffering. Many animals slip on the rocky ground, causing crippling lameness. The oppressive heat puts them at constant risk of dehydration. And their heavy loads often cause their harnesses to dig into their skin, leaving terrible open wounds and exposure to deadly diseases.

By donating today, you can help save animals working in brick kilns. Your gift can:

  • Help us expand our support to more brick kilns.
  • Provide vaccinations and urgent treatment to sick and injured animals.
  • Train owners on safe harnessing to protect their animals from pain and injuries.

Will you please donate today to help save working animals in brick kilns from pain, disease and despair? Thank you so much.

Two donkeys carrying heavy loads of bricks at a brick kiln in India.

Thank you

Your generous donations will be used for projects such as those featured in this appeal and where they are required the most to help animals in need. We would be so grateful for whatever you can give to this vital brick kilns appeal. Thank you.

To speak to our friendly supporter care team please visit our contact us page and get in touch.