Severe flooding has caused immense suffering for many donkeys in Tanzania, leaving them injured, malnourished, and ill. Debris carried by the floodwaters has torn their skin, while rising waters cut off access to and damaged their food supply. Weakened and standing in filthy water, they developed lesions, infections, and serious diseases.
But in the face of this disaster, help arrived — thanks to Lady Freethinker’s compassionate supporters and the on-the-ground efforts of Voluntary Education and Relief Initiative for Tanzanian Society (VERITAS), a volunteer-run animal rights organization.
Courtesy of VERITAS
Supported by a grant from LFT, VERITAS delivered food, clean water, critical veterinary services, and dry shelters to these vulnerable donkeys in need.
Donkey Pakome, who had developed painful foot rot from the floods, receiving treatment from the VERITAS mobile veterinary team, and is now making a strong recovery.
Villager Emmanuel Magembe’s donkeys had been struggling with foot rot, tetanus, and other health issues. In addition to the urgently-needed medical treatment the donkeys were given, Emmanuel was trained in proper donkey care. His animals are much healthier now and he knows how to tend to their needs moving forward, improving their quality of life.
These and numerous other donkeys could have faced a tragic end, but thanks to swift intervention and generous support, they were given hope and a chance to heal.
Courtesy of VERITAS
With the funding provided by LFT, VERITAS has constructed new shelters for the displaced donkeys, giving the animals a safe and dry respite from the floods. These comfortable new enclosures will allow the donkeys to recover more quickly from their wounds and infections and give them the secure space needed to grow strong and healthy.
Courtesy of VERITAS
Lady Freethinker is grateful to our amazing supporters and to VERITAS for making this lifesaving work possible — and we remain committed to creating a more compassionate world for all animals.
