This is How We Put Our Supporters’ Donations Into Direct Action for Animals in Need Worldwide in February.

In February, your compassion helped change the lives of dogs, cats, donkeys and other animals in desperate need worldwide. 

Here are the animals our supporters helped last month.

Increasingly in parts of Africa, helpless dogs are being caught in the clutches of a barbaric dog meat trade. Eating dogs is illegal in Zambia, but trading them is not, which has resulted in the country becoming a hub for the transportation of animal victims. These dogs, once beloved pets or homeless street wanderers, are caught or stolen and crammed into a truck without water, food, or adequate ventilation in searing African heat. The animals are then raced to the border and brutally slaughtered just a few yards inside the Congo at local markets. We are fighting this brutal trade, but we can only succeed with the help of animal lovers like you. 

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised enough funds to initiate interception operations and save dogs destined for the dinner plate. Our first rescue efforts saved just three dogs – the others died before we could reach them. These dogs are alive today because of our efforts, but many more await rescue. Your compassion has made a real difference and will help us save countless dogs from gruesome deaths - thank you!

Read the original article here.

For most dogs who live in the Roma villages of northern Croatia, life is a living hell. Many Roma people have not been educated about the basic needs of dogs, leading to widespread neglect and casual brutality. Chained, starved and thirsty, Roma animals endure unimaginable suffering. To make a bad situation worse, Roma criminals run dog-fighting rings in which huge sums are gambled on which dog will be savaged to death by another. The criminals also run puppy mills where dogs are selectively bred for viciousness. 

Our partner, the Cakovec shelter, regularly visits the Roma villages to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome suffering dogs. But with the shelter currently overwhelmed with 600 rescued animals, our team urgently needs ongoing support to continue their life-saving work. We reached out to you with a desperate plea for help, and thanks to your generosity, we will ensure that hundreds of rescued dogs and puppies receive the food and care that they desperately deserve following their traumatic ordeals in Roma villages. 

Read the original article here.

In Kenya, countless gentle donkeys are brutally slaughtered each year because of an insatiable demand for their skins. Despite the Kenyan government’s ban on commercial donkey slaughter, a new challenge has emerged: fueled by the relentless Chinese donkey skin trade, donkeys are being stolen and illegally slaughtered in the bush. Their skins are then shipped off to China, while their meat is sold to unsuspecting consumers in Kenya.

We secured funds to deploy a specialized team to the high-risk areas of Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nairobi for an initial visit. Our team will provide crucial treatment for the rescued donkeys in the area and conduct strategic surveillance initiatives across donkey slaughter hotspots. Our plan is to continue fundraising so that our team can sustain this vital work for the next year. Your donations are critical in helping us save donkey lives and putting an end to this horrific slaughter. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. 

Read the original article here.

Israel-Hamas war – rescuing trapped and starving equines from Gaza. Through your support, our team successfully rescued 143 donkeys and horses from Gaza and transported them to safety in Israel. Your generosity surpassed our fundraising goal, allowing us to provide enough funds to feed and care for the animals for an entire month. The once-starving, injured, and terrified equines have hope for a brighter future, thanks to you! Read more.

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – miracle donkey Althea has given birth at last! Althea was rescued and treated by our partner, MARES, in late 2021 after suffering 15 agonizing ax blows and savage dog attacks. The team also discovered that she was pregnant. Now, just over two years later, we are thrilled to announce that Althea has finally given birth to a beautiful baby named Aaru. Watch the video.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom – rushing feed to farm animals in crisis. In January, heavy rains and flooding devastated the grounds of the Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary (FARS), leaving over 400 rescued farm animals stranded and without access to grazing areas. Thanks to your generosity, we rushed funds for additional hay to ensure the hungry animals confined to the barns had an adequate food supply during this challenging time. Read more.

Cape Town, South Africa – launching a legal battle against livestock cruelty. NFA was horrified to learn of the appalling conditions for 19,000 cattle aboard the Al Kuwait, a livestock carrier ship that docked in South Africa’s Cape Town harbor in February. We sought urgent legal advice to see what we could do to help the animals. Our legal team is in the process of instituting an action in the South African courts seeking a declaratory order – saying that any ship coming into local waters in the future must obey our animal welfare and livestock laws. Failure to comply will result in denial of service and fuel. Read more.

An expert’s top five reasons why dogs can be considered exceptional animals. Read more.

Bhutan becomes first country to sterilise all stray dogs after 14-year-long project. Read more.

Cats and dogs can catch your winter illnesses, owners warned. Read more.

Why your dog helps you relax more than your friends do. Read more.

Thank you for being a friend to animals in February. Together, we can continue to make the world a better place for countless voiceless victims across the globe.

Banner credit: NFA/Dejan Radic