Donkey Clinics (SPANA Zimbabwe)

 

Donkey Clinics and the AWARE-SPANA alliance

In 2009, in response to complaints of cruelty against donkeys in Gweru, SPANA agreed to fund 6 donkey clinics run by AWARE in lower Gweru. In March 2010 AWARE held a course in donkey medicine for Zimbabwean vets and animal health technicians, given by SPANA's Dr Karen Reed. SPANA has since formed a strong partnership with AWARE, and made Zimbabwe a core country for its African donkey work. The project has steadily grown, first hiring Dr Erick Mutizhe as a full time donkey vet in 2010, followed by a second dedicated donkey vet, Dr Andy Garura, in 2013. Yusuf Piri (ex Donkey Protection Trust) has also joined the team in 2015 as a veterinary technician, and Timothy Mpofu has joined as a community development officer in Beitbridge Shashe area. The community development project aims to stop the donkey abuse at its roots by changing attitudes to animal welfare.

The AWARE-SPANA project believes in capacity building and a second CPD course for vets was run in 2014. A Clinical Skills Lab has been set up for students at the University of Zimbabwe, and Dr Andy and Dr Erick are both based at this lab at the UZ when they are not out in the rural areas. 

More info coming soon...