In August, we helped provide specialized care for disabled dogs in Zimbabwe, fought to protect vulnerable donkeys in Kenya, rushed to save Afghanistan’s first-ever animal sanctuary and contributed towards critical sterilization efforts for cats in New York City. None of our work to help animals worldwide would be possible without the generosity of our supporters.

Read on to find out how animal-lovers like you made a difference for animals in August.

AFRICA

Zimbabwe – Harare

Giving disabled dogs the specialized care they need to heal

Our partner, the Friend Animal Foundation (FAF), cares for nearly 700 rescued animals, including 464 dogs, many of whom are disabled. Tragically, Zimbabwe’s struggling economy means that most of these animals will never be adopted, and FAF is likely to be the only loving home they will ever know.

Most of these disabled dogs – as well as those recovering from life-saving surgeries – need hydrotherapy to ease their pain, aid recovery and restore mobility. FAF recently began building a hydrotherapy pool to give their animals the specialized care they require, but ran out of funds before they could finish construction.

Thanks to our supporters’ generosity, we are one step closer to completing the hydrotherapy pool, giving hundreds of dogs the chance to live without pain, and to walk and run free again.

Read the original article here.

Thanks to our generous donors, work on a vital hydrotherapy pool can continue, giving injured and disabled dogs the chance to live without pain. Credit: FAF

Kenya – Nairobi 

Fighting to save donkeys being slaughtered for the illegal donkey skin trade

Every day, at least 400 donkeys are slaughtered in Kenya to fuel China’s demand for ejiao, a cosmetic and traditional medicine made by boiling down donkey skins. Despite a continent-wide ban on the slaughter of donkeys, weak enforcement and organized criminal networks allow illegal slaughter to continue unchecked.

Our partner, the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), is one of the few organizations legally empowered to rescue donkeys from the criminals who want to kill them. Over the past year, it has saved 528 animals, with 248 still in its care and being held as evidence in ongoing court cases. But space, food and funds were running out.

Thanks to our donors, we rushed funds to KSPCA to cover food, medication and safe shelter for the rescued donkeys in its care, and contributed to legal fees to help secure court victories that allow KSPCA to keep the animals safe and bring criminals to justice.

Read the original article here.

Those “lucky” enough to escape the donkey skin trade are often left with horrific injuries – machete wounds, broken legs and extreme starvation. Credit: KSPCA

ASIA

Afghanistan – Kabul

Rushing to rebuild Afghanistan’s oldest animal sanctuary and hospital

In August, Afghanistan’s oldest animal sanctuary and hospital, run by our partner Nowzad, faced demolition to make way for new roads and high-rise office blocks. This crisis threatened the lives of more than 100 rescued cats, dogs, donkeys and horses and jeopardized 18 years of life-saving work for animals through war and Taliban rule.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, construction on the new sanctuary has begun, and every single animal was safely relocated just in time as demolition crews moved in. So far, our supporters’ donations have funded the building and waterproofing of all stables at the new site, as well as the installation of three water tanks. This ensures Nowzad’s 15 permanent donkey and horse residents have a safe place to call home and constant access to fresh water.

Construction is ongoing, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you as this crucial sanctuary and hospital for Afghanistan’s animals rises from the rubble.

Read the original article here.

Credit: NOWZAD

NORTH AMERICA

United States – New York

Sterilizing stray cats to prevent more kittens from being born into suffering

No one knows exactly how many stray cats roam New York City, but estimates run into the hundreds of thousands. What we do know is that life on the streets of the Big Apple is especially perilous for vulnerable kittens, with up to 75% of those born to unsterilized strays dying within their first six months of life. Those who survive continue the tragic cycle of suffering by giving birth to even more kittens.

The most effective way to prevent more kittens from being born into harsh lives is to implement regular trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs – which is exactly what our partner, Bideawee Feral Cat Initiative (BFCI), does. BFCI is breaking the cycle of kittens being born into miserable lives on the streets through TNR, while giving New York’s stray cats a chance at healthier lives, but it relies on donations to continue making a difference.

Thanks to our donors, we have contributed towards BFCI’s critical sterilization efforts, ensuring it can continue its vital work to give the cats of New York City the care they deserve.

Read the original article here.

Credit: BFCI

LATEST UPDATES

Serbia – As part of our global feeding scheme, we donated over 800lb (364kg) of pet food to Jelena Kostić’s shelter, helping 110 dogs, 20 cats and several farm animals. Thanks to your support, these rescued animals will not go hungry. Watch the video.

Credit: Nairobi Feline Sanctuary

West Bank, Palestine – Six dogs rescued by our partner, the Animal Environment Association (AEA), have safely arrived in Holland and Germany to start their new lives in loving forever homes. Watch the video.

Credit: AEA

United Kingdom – Stand a chance to win £25,000 each week, while supporting animals in need around the world. Open to UK residents aged 18 and over. Ts and Cs apply. Enter now.

Kefalonia, Greece – In early August, NFA attended the Samiland festival in the port town of Sami to share our work for cats on the island, while educating the public on how to help animals in need and how to report animal abuse. Read more.

Credit: NFA/Dejan Radic

Morocco – We recently rescued Tommy, a cat with a severe eye injury, alongside our partner Kawtar Cats. But if Draft Law 19.25 is passed, rescuing, feeding or treating animals like Tommy could carry jail time and heavy fines. As a member of the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), we are urging the Moroccan government to amend or scrap the law. Find out how you can help.

Credit: Kawtar Cats

Calvinia, South Africa – Thanks to our supporters, we recently helped save Skye and provided urgent care, sterilizations and treatments for 17 other rescued animals in the impoverished area of Calvinia. With NGOs across South Africa facing a USAID budget crisis, your support is more critical than ever. Read more.

Found emaciated, homeless and covered in ticks, Skye was rescued by our team in Calvinia and provided with life-saving care — all thanks to our supporters’ donations. Credit: NFA

Worldwide – Happy #InternationalDogDay! While many dogs are loved and cared for by their owners, others are not so lucky – dogs like Fester, a very special little fighter who had an exceptionally hard start to life. Read the full story and help us care for more dogs like Fester around the world.

Credit: NFA

Thank you for being a friend and hero to animals worldwide in August. It is only through the continued generosity of our supporters that we can make a life-saving difference for the dogs, cats, donkeys and horses who so desperately need us.

Banner credit: NOWZAD