The new month started with two separate individuals calling to report a donkey being dragged behind a vehicle on the N2 just outside Blue Horizon bay. They thought the donkey was dead but weren’t sure. When we arrived, we found one very irate foreman and his three workers who had been collecting a dead donkey from a neighbouring farm. All a misunderstanding, as the donkey was definitely dead for a couple of days judging by the stench. Yes though, probably not the best idea to be dragging it behind the vehicle for all of sundry to see..
Two rabies vaccines administered to two of our adoptees.
Some concern over a baby donkey (two months old )being bought from a local in a rural community for a rather large amount of money. This member of the public has in doing so created upset for the foal, the mother donkey and concerned individuals that know this to be PRECISELY the behaviour one does NOT want in that community. Please think carefully before buying animals off locals, it can create a bigger problem. Rather report to local animal shelter if you are concerned first.
One little donkey colt in for gelding. Collected, gelded and returned safe and sound.
AHS deaths in the rural areas has been devastating. We have advised the owners best we can to fight the disease without the preventative vaccines but not easy and so unbelievably sad.
Our beautiful April was rehomed to her new mama. Go well sweetheart Good to know you are safe and sound and back close to home. We wish you all the best!
We collected eight donkeys to relieve owner of grazing space after a recent fire. Most will go back once grazing has recovered. One old girl will need to have her teeth done though first, so one visit from Dr Donovan required ;)
A few minor vehicle headaches ..All fine though now
Four donkeys and three ponie’s hooves tendered too.
On lame horse visited and sorted.
Some promising ideas and concepts from two NMMU students regarding some handyman hands around the yard over next few months.. Yay.. Thank you!
Our Girl Rusty homed to a loving home who’s family is are just in love with her!
Recheck on a huge sarcoid looks to be improving a little hopefully. But these things take time and constant treatment. Let’s see what happens in the next few months.
Another three equines covered with Rabies vaccine.
A revisit to the ‘Abandoned ’ horses found one skinny and one fatty .. Otherwise ok and the original water issue has been sorted thanks to the neighbours. Another dentist appointment needed maybe? To be monitored until property has been sold.
A plea for help in the J Bay area, turned out to be a false alarm. A local had used ‘my donkey being stabbed’ line in order to get someone out to vent about another matter! Not quite a Cry wolf and grateful the donkey not hurt but Very rude and inconsiderate is all I can say. Buy hey that’s how a lot of the world works right?
A Donkey Sanctuary workshop is lined up for the 18 May, church road Walmer from 10am to 2:30 pm. If you would like to find out more please contact us directly or Anne-marie on 023 625 1593.We think it’s a great idea!
Finally some up to date feather banners in the pipeline ..
A recheck on previous complaint. Body weight not great, still lame .. mmm.. Other three companions are looking good though .
Four more bottles of our honey sold, Thank you Heidi!! (and Chris ..and Marizaaan )
Assistance offered to another organisation with two young, randy colts, proving to be difficult to contain. However help in the way of a foster home, with good fencing came to the rescue closer to home for now. Gave best advice re capturing and loading skittish donkeys we could.
Six more donkey hooves done.
Stray donkeys on the highway near coega again. Asked the complainant to chase them off the road. Please always drive carefully along that route . There is a feral donkey herd that live in the surrounding areas and no way of us catching them..we have tried..
Another recheck and all good thankfully.
We were alerted to someone selling horses that didn’t look great. Contact with the owner has been made and discussion on way forward underway..
The perimeter fence at AWS was cut and the last tunnel shelter was stolen from our donks, they loved that shelter dammit.. A plan underway though once again..
A Plea for help for an old donkey gentleman with a very sore ear. After a proper clean - an ear infection caused by lots of maggots was discovered. Antibiotics given and the maggots all removed, cleaning every day for a week. Sorry old boy, hope you feel much better now.
We collected a new young Filly from Fairview. Feisty and inquisitive. Introducing : “ Lovin You Baby” Welcome Beautiful!
Donkey colt number two ,collected, gelded and returned safe and sound.
Our adopted out children often move to new premises with their new parents. Please just remember to advise us on all the details so we can keep them clearly on our records.
Three slightly overweight donkeys returned to Unit. Looking for new home with less grazing ;)
Then a call out to a really old lady losing condition rather rapidly. Her body wasclearly starting to shut down and it was time.. Lots of tears later, a time was set, then off to see her maker. RIP sweet girl X
A recurring complaint proving to be more difficult than initially thought, monitoring every few weeks to ensure on going treatment.
A long standing adoption has improved this horses chances significantly. Your team of carers and supporters have done wonders. Well done team Royal! (You know who you are..)
Three stray donkeys were collected and transported to their new home. Relatively smooth operation surprisingly enough ;)
A panicked call from a horse owner with ten horses on a float who were stopped by strikers just outside Markman township, on the N2 . It could have been a potentially disastrous situation so very pleased the police managed to get them through relatively quickly and unharmed.
Then a concerned adopter asked to us to urgently come check a Tb who had managed to pull out his stiches. All good though, just some necrotic tissue that’s going to die/fall off and lots of Epsom salts washing . Eina boy shame man.. Should make a full recovery though.
Lastly another complaint against the infamous Moses. His donkeys were tethered and tangled in their ropes. These good Samaritans stopped, untangled and messaged us at about 5:30pm. They were upset that there was no water either so gave them 2 litres each. I thanked them for their concern and went on to explain that the donkeys owner, Moses , does give them water every day but does not leave the bucket there as it usually disappears by the time he gets back. The tethering was in order to prevent them from drifting onto the main roads and causing a possible accident. The complainant then decided to phone me in order to scream profane language down my ear, calling me all sorts of horrendous names, screaming that this is animal abuse and that we are useless and don’t care. I was shocked to say the least. Upon arriving at the donkeys the next morning, just after 8am, the donkeys had already been fetched and watered by Moses.
I understand this type of thing is very frustrating for all involved but please spare a thought for welfare workers doing the best they can with the money and resources they have. We answer to everyone’s problems, not just the one you are reporting . We need to prioritise and do the best we can with what we have. Please don’t beat us down further, we are trying to keep it together for the animals sakes, in order to carry on ,because as most of you know, animal welfare is by no means easy ,emotionally, physically or financially. Yes we will try harder with Moses and his donkeys and try to get him to keep them by us before we can make some sort of fenced in camp that will not be stolen from him. We are only human and don’t deserve to be spoken to like this complainant did.
Thank you for listening, those that did. It’s a new day, new problems ..let’s try again..
Till next time,
Carla
GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING April FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST THANKFUL!
DONATION – Western Mounted Games -3 BIG boxes apples
DONATION - Free Bikers Allegience – Donation 75 bales green Lucerne, Bought delivered and packed by the bikers themselves. Thank you so much ! Winners of Potjie kos Competition !
DONATION – Tracy Schoeman – 20 x bales
DONATION - Saddle and old bridle from Karen - collected
DONATION – Jaunita - 1 x bag feed
Please note we also have donators who put money into our account every month, even though we don’t mention your names and amounts, please know how grateful we are to you for it!
VOLUNTEER – Philippa
VOLUNTEER – Brett and Cherise
VOLUNTEER - Alex
VOLUNTEERS – Estelle and Josh
VOLUNTEERS – Greg and Maddy
VOLUNTEER - Cecile
VOLUNTEER – Shannon
VOLUNTEERS – Sonja and Kierra
VOLUNTEERS – Susan
Banking Details: Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit: Standard Bank Current Account 080733875, Code 051001. Reference: Your name. Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT Contact numbers Office cellphone 072 357 2505 NO LANDLINE email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.