Nadia the mule’s new shoes

One of these mules is Nadia. The six-year-old mule treks four to five hours a day, accompanying tourists alongside her owner, Brahim. One day, Brahim noticed that Nadia was reluctant to walk and was slower than normal, despite having frequent breaks. Concerned for his mule, Brahim took Nadia to see SPANA vets the next time our monthly mobile veterinary clinic visited their hard-to-reach village.

At the clinic, our vet team gave Nadia a thorough examination and discovered that she needed new shoes. Ill-fitting shoes are a common cause of lameness for working animals. The mules of Imlil walk on extremely rocky terrain, and good well-fitting shoes are essential to protect their feet. Without good shoes, Nadia could have developed chronic foot conditions – leaving her in pain, in danger of stumbling and falling, or even unable to work.

Brahim was delighted by the treatment Nadia received. He said: ‘Thank you, SPANA. My mule is very important to me.’

From the mules of Imlil to the working camels in the brick kilns of northern India, many working animals in impoverished communities across the world endure exceptionally harsh conditions and poor welfare. Access to water, shelter and rest is often limited and food supply may be inadequate. Their equipment is frequently poorly fitted and there is poor access to essential veterinary care when they are sick or injured. But thanks to your kind support, we are able to ensure their welfare is protected by providing lifesaving veterinary treatment, training owners in animal care, and teaching the importance of animal welfare to children. Find out how your kindness and support is making a vital difference to the welfare of working animals here.