Why TV vet James Greenwood is supporting SPANA’s new virtual gift range
To mark the launch of our new range of Gifts of Health and Happiness, vet, TV personality and long-time SPANA supporter James Greenwood shares a personal message about the importance of supporting working animals. Reflecting on a visit to SPANA’s projects in Morocco, where he saw our mobile clinics and treatment centres firsthand, he speaks about the lasting impact of these gifts on working animals and the communities who rely on them.
I’m pleased to introduce you to SPANA’s new range of Gifts of Health and Happiness – thoughtful gifts that help working animals.
During my visit to Morocco with SPANA in 2018, I saw firsthand just how vital working animals are to the livelihoods of communities. From donkeys and horses to camels and oxen, these remarkable animals form a hardworking, yet often overlooked, part of the workforce around the world.
I had the privilege of seeing SPANA’s incredible work in action at their treatment centre in Marrakech, where they provide essential veterinary care for working animals like caleche horses who pull tourist carriages.
The dedication of the SPANA team was inspiring, and it became clear to me how their work creates lasting positive changes for both animals and their owners. I feel incredibly lucky to have seen such impactful work up close.
One moment that really stayed with me was meeting Billie, a horse who had been brought in after swallowing a plastic bag. It was a sobering reminder of the growing problem plastics pose to both animals and the environment. While it’s not uncommon for UK vets to operate on dogs that have swallowed socks, performing surgery on a horse to extract a plastic bag is a troubling reminder of how plastic waste is harming working animals, who often ingest plastic accidentally while grazing in polluted areas, leading to illness and sometimes even death.
You can help save lives by choosing the Safe and Sound gift, providing working animals like Billie with urgent treatment and a safe place for recovery.
In a world facing economic hardship and the growing impacts of the climate crisis, the role of these animals is more critical than ever, as many people in vulnerable communities rely on donkeys, mules and horses for transport, carrying goods, collecting water and to earn a livelihood. With limited access to veterinary care and many communities far from treatment centres, the need for SPANA’s work is great.
When you buy a Gift of Health and Happiness, you’ll be helping to provide veterinary care, food, water, comfortable equipment and other vital supplies to working animals when they need it most. It’s such a simple idea that means a world of difference – not only for sick and injured animals but for the communities that depend on them.
Starting from £5, these thoughtful gifts go a long way and make wonderful presents for friends and family. Whether it’s a £12 course of vaccinations or a £20 feeding package each one helps support vital services for working animals. With every gift you buy, you can receive a special gift card with a story about an animal you are helping.
Please do consider purchasing a Gift of Health and Happiness for yourself or a loved one today. You’ll be playing an important role in easing the suffering of working animals, while supporting lasting positive changes for future generations.
Thank you for standing with me in supporting SPANA’s vital work. You can explore the full range of gifts here.
