NFA collaborates with organizations in Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe to support the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected, abused and abandoned equines. Through the generosity of our supporters, we finance critical veterinary care and conduct long-term outreach programs to educate local communities on the proper care of horses and donkeys. We also campaign against the cruel ‘sport’ of organized horse fighting and work to bring an end to the global donkey skin trade. Read more on our worldwide donkey crisis campaign against this brutal practice.
South Africa 
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Have A Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES)
In January 2022, heavy flooding along the Orange River in Namaqualand, South Africa, left 32 horses and three foals stranded on tiny islands surrounded by rising waters. The animals faced imminent death by drowning. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) of South Africa and Namibia put out urgent pleas for help, and we were the only organization to respond. Network for Animals rushed to the scene to provide emergency assistance and managed to help save all 32 horses and the three foals. Together with our partner, the Have A Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES), we also support the current rehabilitation effort for the horses.
Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES)
Bonnievale, South Africa
The Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES) is a valued long-term partner of Network for Animals. Led by former policeman Marc Ward, HAHES is a significant force for equine recue, care and rehabilitation in rural parts of Africa. We support numerous abused donkeys and other equines under the care of HAHES. In addition, we supply HAHES with the much-needed resources and equipment to continue their wonderful work. Our most recent project with HAHES involved successfully rescuing and rehabilitating 32 horses and three foals from drowning in Alexander Bay.
United Kingdom 
The HUGS Foundation
In the United Kingdom, we support the HUGS Foundation, an equine rescue charity in Bodmin, set in a rural environment. HUGS is a haven for abused, abandoned and neglected horses and ponies. HUGS always tries to find homes for rescued creatures, but more often than not, they remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives due to their histories of mistreatment and need for specialist, long-term care. HUGS tries never to turn away innocent creatures in need.
One example is six miniature Shetland ponies, a moorland pony and a donkey who were at risk of being slaughtered because their owner became to old to care for them. HUGS saved them. Among them is Oscar a donkey who has met his true love – Dude, an orphaned foal, orphaned pony siblings Herbie and Gus, and Igor, a tiny white pony who suffers from Dwarfism. Igor is now part of HUGS’ well-being program, which provides support to children, the elderly and veterans.
Zimbabwe 
Matabeleland Animal Rescue & Equine Sanctuary (MARES)
In Zimbabwe, we support the work of MARES, a donkey and equine sanctuary that has rescued more than 600 sick, injured and abandoned equines since 1999. MARES also conducts educational outreach programs in rural areas which focus on educating donkey owners on welfare, care, the importance of annual vaccinations, and replacing ill-fitting harnesses with padded humane harnesses. Network for Animals has supported MARES for the past four years, contributing to the running of their sanctuary and care of their donkeys.
How we fight against cruelty
Funding veterinary care: Veterinary services for horses in the Philippines are basic and often too expensive for impoverished local farmers. As an incentive to stop horse fighting, providing horses are not used in fights, Network for Animals provides free veterinary clinics in communities where horse fighting is prevalent.
Education: Educating the public about the animal welfare concerns inherent in horse fighting is a crucial part of our work. Network regularly persuades television stations and newspapers to cover the horse fighting issue, reaching hundreds of thousands of people with our message of compassion. Additionally, we print and distribute educational leaflets and posters in horse fighting areas, give presentations to veterinarians, schools and civic groups, and when funding allows, run advertisements in newspapers.
Petitions: Tourism is a vital source of revenue for the southern Philippines, an area that has an abundance of world class diving locations and beaches. Network works to petition prominent officials, with our team following up all petitions.
How you can help
Keep up to date with our work by signing up to our mailing list, following us on Facebook and Twitter, and support us by making a donation here.
