Helping donkeys and mules in Greece

The Donkey Sanctuary UK now works in 27 countries worldwide with a continuing aim to reach more donkeys and mules each year. One way of helping to achieve this aim is by forming collaborations with like-minded welfare organisations that are already operating in other parts of the world. One of these organisations is the Greek Animal Welfare/Animal Action charity (GAWF). For several years The Donkey Sanctuary has supported the GAWF’s vital Equine Project. Every year the GAWF team of vets and farriers visit many of the Greek islands and several areas of mainland Greece, treating and checking donkeys, mules and horses.

As well as providing free treatments, hoof care and dental checks, GAWF actively train vets and farriers in the specialist areas of donkey and mule care. By doing so this enhances knowledge and skill levels, thereby helping to improve the welfare of these animals in many of the areas they visit. Advice and support is also given to the owners at every opportunity.

With an ever increasing volume of work, GAWF began their outreach work early this year in January visiting Poligiros in the North East of Greece. Despite encountering some very cold weather, the team spent two days dealing with some very severe dental problems in both mules and donkeys and some serious hoof problems. Although the number of working equines in the area is very slowly decreasing due to mechanisation, the team treated a total of 64 animals, mainly donkeys and mules.

The Donkey Sanctuary (Cyprus) is in frequent contact with GAWF who often help us with welfare complaints in Greece, and so a huge thank you goes the team for their hard work.