Chief Executive Statement

Before saying anything about what we achieved during the period I want to say a big big thank you to all our supporters for continuing to generously support us during these difficult economic times. Due to your generosity we were able to maintain all of our care and welfare programmes both here in the United Kingdom and in our projects around the world.

A recession, especially one as long lasting as we are experiencing this time, has a number of effects. Maintaining income levels is of course difficult but at the same time the number of donkeys and mules being relinquished to us increased as owners found they could not afford to care for their beloved animals. Cash shortages also seem to result in more donkeys coming into us that have not been receiving an appropriate level of care and attention. The weather in Europe during 2010 did not help, with feed and bedding costs soaring due to poor crops, creating a scarcity value as donkey owners vied to buy for them.

Yet despite these difficulties we achieved a lot during the year. First and foremost we were able to take in every donkey and mule brought to us in need. So that we do not run out of space, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, we have leased some additional property to hopefully tie us over for the remainder of this difficult economic period. Although sadly some of our donkey foster owners had to return their donkeys we have been able to find new owners and the number of donkeys going out as part of our fostering programme is climbing again. We also began establishing a foster home scheme in mainland Europe. Working with other like-minded charities and organisations we are also starting to see improvement in animal welfare at fairs and markets.

Overseas we are focusing on two main areas. We continue to provide veterinary treatment for donkeys and mules where the people have little or no veterinary help or medicines with which to treat. Wherever possible every treatment is viewed as a training opportunity, so that we can show the community, owners and owners’ children how to clean wounds, prevent wounds, make harnesses and maintain simple but effective animal husbandry. We are also concentrating on community partnership through education in animal care and welfare, so that when we wish to expand our areas of coverage we know that communities we have moved on from are able to sustain the care and welfare of the donkeys and mules from what they have been shown and taught. During the period our overseas teams reached around 400,000 donkeys. Helping their lives and through education of the people we will spread the improvements to many more animals in the years ahead.

During the period we either worked directly in or provided some support for other charities and organisations dealing in the care and welfare of donkeys and mules in 29 countries around the world. During these times of hardship it is difficult for us to expand our operations and our influence on the care and welfare of these hardworking loyal animals. With up to 60 million donkeys and mules around the world we have a long way to go, but without your continued support we can do nothing.

David Cook
June 2011