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How We’re Helping The Donkeys Of Bela-Bela, South Africa!

  • January 7, 2022
  • Worldwide Donkey Crisis
  • South Africa
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Your donations have helped improve the lives and eased the load of working donkeys in rural South African townships, giving these gentle creatures the relief they desperately needed.

In the poor township of Bela-Bela, in South Africa, using donkeys to earn a living is a way of life. Donkeys are used to transport heavy loads of goods, which enables their owners to earn money. Conditions are incredibly harsh for these animals, who often work long days, suffer injuries and endure great discomfort.

One of the worst sources of these injuries and discomfort is the incorrect harnesses used to tether carts to the donkeys. Owners use any cheap materials they can find, like wire, chains or rope, to secure the carts to these poor animals. These harsh materials cut into the donkeys’ flesh and cause terrible injuries to their mouths, chests and bodies, which never have a chance to heal. These contraptions may also cause the animals to walk unevenly and develop painful injuries to their feet.

Recently, the Network for Animals (NFA) team traveled to the region for a very special and important mission: to deliver good-quality, comfortable harnesses to the donkey owners, and to educate them about how to properly care for and treat their animals.

How We're Helping The Donkeys Of Bela-Bela, South Africa! 1

Together with our partners, the Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary (HAHES) and Matabeleland Animal Rescue & Equine Sanctuary (MARES), we spent several days in Bela-Bela, treating donkeys and educating their owners. We taught them how to harness the donkeys properly, and to rest any animals that develop injuries. We made sure to confiscate the old, incorrect harnesses and gave the owners the beautifully-crafted ones created by the MARES team. Owners did not have to pay for these harnesses, but they have been given strict instructions: if our animal cruelty inspector sees them using the wrong harnesses again or overloading, overworking or abusing their donkeys, the animals will be confiscated.

It’s thanks to your generous donations that we were able to create this essential outreach program to educate owners and deliver vital pieces of equipment. It’s also thanks to you that we can keep our cruelty inspectors on the ground, constantly monitoring the township for any cases of abuse or maltreatment.

These inspectors are a lifeline to the many donkeys that have been confiscated, rehabilitated and rehomed.

How We're Helping The Donkeys Of Bela-Bela, South Africa! 2

Thank you for being a friend to the animals! The donkeys of Bela-Bela are so appreciative of your support. Please keep donating generously so we can continue to look out for their welfare.

Please help us to take action by donating today!

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Lisa-Mari Spence

Leadership Gifts Officer

Lisa-Mari was raised in South Africa and joined the NFA team as the UK fundraiser after relocating to Greece. With a background in public relations and a passion for helping animals her role at NFA is a perfect match.

Alissa Ford

Director of Leadership Gifts, USA

Alissa is the Director of Leadership Gifts in the United States. She has a background in nonprofit fundraising and marketing, but believes all paths led her to Network for Animals, where she is able to combine her professional experience with her personal passion for animal welfare. Alissa lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and her fur-baby Ollie, who is treated like the prince he thinks he is, since his human brother and sister are grown and now living on their own. Alissa loves speaking to our supporters who she truly considers a community of fellow animal lovers.