We’re writing to you today from Zimbabwe, where we’re visiting our long-time partner, the Friend Animal Foundation (FAF), a sanctuary that has become the last hope for animals in one of the world’s most broken economies.
FAF is home to nearly 700 animals, including 160 cats, several rescued farm animals and 464 dogs – many of whom are disabled. Tragically, most of the animals will never be adopted – because the Zimbabwean economy is in ruins, and locals can barely afford to feed themselves, let alone care for animals.
For hundreds of animals, our partner is their last hope – in many cases, the only home they will ever know.
Five years ago, the sanctuary was in ruins when the owner died. The authorities provided no help, and local people had no money to spare to support the shelter.
With your help, we saved and transformed it from an empty, crumbling place with no bowls to feed the animals, into a refuge of hope and healing.
But the disabled dogs that call the sanctuary home still desperately need special care.
After suffering untold cruelty and neglect, these innocent souls deserve to live free of pain. Credit: Dan Snyders
Crippled by car accidents or horrific abuse, many of FAF’s dogs need regular physiotherapy to relieve their pain and help them walk again. Unfortunately, despite having trained staff, the team doesn’t have the specialized tools to help the animals – specifically, a hydrotherapy pool.
Nearly all the disabled dogs – and those recovering from life-saving surgeries – need hydrotherapy, a highly effective way to ease pain and restore mobility. Today, we’re asking for your help to give these dogs the crucial therapy they need to heal.
One simple tool can help countless dogs walk and run again.
FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES
Here’s how it works: Water makes the dog float; once submerged, there is very little stress on their joints, which is crucial for dogs with painful injuries or disabilities. Often, this is the only way the animal can move without suffering – kinetic energy is expended on strengthening muscles, rather than fighting gravity. In many cases, animals have completely recovered from their injuries thanks to this innovative therapy – even those that vets said would never walk again.
The team has already started construction on the pool, but ran out of funds before it could be completed. It’s not a luxury – this specialized form of therapy could be the only chance these dogs will have to once again run free.
Credit: NFA and FAF
After experiencing the worst suffering and abuse, these dogs deserve a chance of relief from pain.
Your donation today will help us finish the hydrotherapy pool to help dogs in constant agony recover from their injuries, giving them the opportunity to live happy, pain-free lives.
For dogs with serious injuries and disabilities, and those recovering from intensive surgeries, hydrotherapy can help ease pain and restore mobility. IMAGE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
After suffering life-altering injuries and disabilities, this may be the last chance these animals have to live pain-free lives – and to walk and run again. Your support can make this miracle come true. Please donate as generously as you can today.
