International Animal Charity Launches Veterinary Services In Botswana
8 years ago 
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International animal charity SPANA is to provide free veterinary treatment in some of Botswana’s poorest communities.
The charity will establish veterinary services in the country to improve the health and welfare of more than 24,000 working donkeys, which are relied upon by families living in poverty. These animals enable the poorest people to earn a living by ploughing and carrying goods, firewood and water.
SPANA Botwana will run a mobile veterinary clinic that will initially visit ten villages around the town of Maun, travelling more than 250km each week. The population of donkeys in Maun is so large that the town is known locally as ‘Donkey Town’.
As well as veterinary treatment, SPANA will also be providing animal welfare training and education to the local community. This will help to reduce the avoidable problems facing the donkeys, such as wounds caused by poorly-fitting harnesses, and build greater respect for the animals amongst their owners.
Jeremy Hulme, Chief Executive of SPANA, said: “Our new programme is desperately needed to help the many thousands of donkeys suffering in Botswana. There are currently very few local vets and poor families have no way of paying for treatment when their animals are sick or injured. The low status of donkeys also means their welfare is rock bottom as a priority.
“This is why SPANA’s involvement is so important. The free veterinary care and humane equipment we provide will have an immediate, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of these donkeys. But through our community training and education work, we are also determined to make a long term, lasting difference to the welfare of animals in Botswana – changing the attitudes and practices of animal owners for generations to come.”
For more information about SPANA’s new programme in Botswana and to help the charity reach more animals in the country, visit: www.spana.org/breakthrough
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