Tekki the donkey developed agonising wounds from a poorly fitted harness.

Harness wounds cause working animals terrible distress

In many countries where we work, harness wounds are some of the most common conditions seen by SPANA veterinary teams. For working animals, these injuries are agonising and can be life threatening.

In places where well-made harnesses are hard to come by, owners often have no choice but to make do with what they have, using materials like plastic, wire or rough ropes. As a result, our veterinary teams are overwhelmed by the growing number of working animals whose necks and backs have been rubbed raw by rough straps and unbearable weights. But this is entirely preventable.

Across the world, our teams are providing lifesaving veterinary care to treat these injuries. But more than that, we’re offering essential training to teach owners how to create safe, well-fitting harness padding that will protect their animals from being hurt in the future.

These harnesses can be made using locally available materials. Learning to make them can also generate income, supporting families and boosting the local economy, while improving animal welfare.

Will you donate today to stop this suffering and give working animals the care they deserve?

 

Your donation can make a real difference for working animals around the world

As well as providing urgent treatment, our veterinary teams work with local people to transform the lives of working animals. Many owners aren't aware of the devastating effects of ill-fitting harnesses on working animals. With SPANA’s help, people around the world are coming together to help end the cycle of suffering for good.
In Zimbabwe, SPANA has supported community groups that create breathable, reflective harnesses, making working animals more comfortable and improving their visibility on the road.
In Mali, SPANA is helping provide training and materials to create simple pack saddle mats that protect the backs of donkeys working long hours in the harsh conditions of Bamako’s rubbish dumps.
Around the world, SPANA veterinary teams are treating working animals with painkillers, antibiotics and wound ointment, helping them heal and thrive.
When Tekki arrived at the mobile clinic, he was in visible distress

Tekki’s agonising harness wounds

Over rough roads, Tekki, a four-year-old donkey, pulls a heavy cart to help his owner, Mohamed, make a living for his family. His days are spent hauling loads of building materials through the hot and bustling streets of Nouakchott, exhausting work for a young donkey.

Everything changed when Mohamed noticed Tekki struggling to walk at the end of the day, looking despondent and in pain. Concerned, Mohamed took Tekki to the SPANA mobile clinic in El Minaa.

The vets explained to Mohamed that the infection had been caused by Tekki’s ill-fitting harness. They carefully cleaned his wounds and started him on a course of antibiotics to fight the infection, which could have been deadly if left untreated.

They also showed Mohamed how to properly care for Tekki and how to fit a padded harness to keep him comfortable while working. By simply improving Tekki’s working conditions, Mohamed was able to prevent a potentially fatal infection.

If you can, please donate today. Your support could provide treatment for more working animals and help prevent suffering like Tekki’s in the future.

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 appeal. Thank you.