Image of a working cow

During this special time of year, little donkey Aly will be doing what he always does: faithfully delivering heavy water barrels to his local community beneath the blazing sun. Aly doesn’t know it, but every step he takes gives his owner, 21-year-old Mettan the greatest gift of all – the chance to care for his elderly parents. 

And in many ways, you are giving the greatest gift to Aly. Your support means that if he gets sick or injured, SPANA’s animal health workers are there to soothe his wounds, treat his illness, and work with Mettan to help Aly get better – and stay that way. I can’t think of a greater gift for working animals around the world. Thank you for all you’ve done for working animals this past year through your kind support. 

As this year draws to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about donkeys like Aly, and all the horses, camels, oxen and other working animals who count on SPANA, and on you. These animals face increasing threats to their wellbeing – extreme weather events, natural disasters and growing economic inequality around the world are making their already difficult lives even harder. And sadly, this is a trend that will continue into next year. 

That’s why, as another challenging year ends, I’m asking for your compassion once more. 

Please, will you send a gift this festive season, to help working animals in need? ​ 

Aly being treated at the mobile clinic
Thanks to supporters like you, a SPANA vet was able to treat Aly's wounds and help him recover.

Aly’s Story

Aly lives in Mauritania, where he works between 10 and 12 hour days, pulling a heavy water cart over sand dunes for his owner, Mettan. Without Aly, Mettan couldn’t work, which means he’d have no way of buying food or providing for his elderly parents.

So when Aly got increasingly unwell, Mettan was devastated. Thankfully, SPANA’s mobile clinic came to his neighbourhood. Vets saw that Aly had infected wounds from an ill-fitting makeshift harness, external parasites and was showing signs of dehydration.  

They immediately cleaned and treated his wounds, gave medicine to fight infection and parasites, and relieved his pain with anti-inflammatory treatment. He was given intravenous fluids to treat his dehydration. 

And just as crucially, they worked with Mettan too – sharing practical tips on fitting Aly’s harness safely and making sure he had regular access to water and rest. 

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing an animal like Aly recover, but seeing the relief on the face of an owner like Mettan is a close second. ‘I thank SPANA for coming to our neighbourhood and treating my donkey,’ Mettan said. ‘He’s very important…this means a lot to me.’ 

It means just as much to me to know that you trust SPANA to be there for working animals on your behalf. 

Thank you for all you do and, if you can, please send a gift today to help more animals like Aly. 

Wishing you peace and joy this festive season, 

Linda Edwards
Chief Executive 

Your kindness has reached animals in some of the hardest-hit places this year.

Whatever you’re able to give, know that you will have a real and practical impact on the lives of working animals around the world. I’ve seen the difference SPANA supporters like you have already made over the past year – which has been one of the toughest in recent memory.
In February, over a thousand donkeys were left stranded in floodwaters in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu Refugee Camp with no dry ground to rest on. But thanks to kind people like you, safe and dry shelters were built, food and clean water was delivered, and donkeys were vaccinated against deadly disease.
Camel drinks from a repaired borehole
In June, Turkana County in Kenya was in the midst of the longest drought the country had experienced in 40 years. Over 10,000 camels and donkeys were in desperate need. Your support provided emergency feed and water – stopping suffering and saving lives.
vet wraps a donkeys injured leg with bandages and iodine
A sudden disease outbreak struck donkeys in Tanzania’s Singida region in August, causing severe wounds that left many seriously unwell and some tragically lost. Your support provided vital veterinary care and shelters, while also equipping animal health workers with the protective gear they needed to prevent the spread of infection.

A message from Dr Jaiber, SPANA Vet, Morocco

Dr Jaiber, SPANA veterinarian in Morocco stands next to his car at a mobile clinic
‘I’ve been working with SPANA since 1998, based in the High  Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Without SPANA, the situation for  mules here would be catastrophic. When a powerful earthquake  hit our region in 2023, it was SPANA supporters who helped  us provide care. We now operate a mobile clinic every month  treating issues like harness injuries, mange and, during the cold  season, bronchitis. I’d like supporters to know that their money is  being spent on a good cause, and that they are helping animals  as well as communities.’
Dr Jaiber, SPANA veterinarian in Morocco. 

Thank you this Christmas for your kind support

These are just some of countless examples of what your generosity can achieve. Your support helps treat working animals suffering from disease, harness wounds, starvation and exhaustion. You provide support in the wake of natural disasters. You equip communities with knowledge and skills in proper animal care, and enable children to learn about the importance of good animal welfare. Thank you for making all of this possible. We wish you a joyful holiday season.