Mexico

The Donkey Sanctuary working in Mexico

A donkey is often classified as the "poor man's horse". The donkey is probably the most neglected and abused animal in Mexico. It is estimated that there are 3 million working donkeys and 3 million working mules in Mexico. They are used for ploughing, carrying tools to the fields, carrying wood, maize, straw, water, construction materials, dung and fertiliser and people.

Our work commenced in 1984 when Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen discovered that most of the donkeys and mules were suffering from terrible worm burdens which caused malnutrition leading to saddle galls and early death. A worming programme was started and in 1988 a mobile clinic was put into operation visiting the villages and markets surrounding Mexico City. On a daily basis, this clinic provides veterinary treatment and farriery treatment for the working donkeys.

In 1991 our work expanded as the ILPH (International League for the Protection of Horses) joined us, as there was a desperate need for treatment of many horses. We now run two mobile clinics on a full time basis, each one staffed by a veterinary surgeon, farrier and animal health assistant. 

Dr. Aline de Aluja retired in early 2005 as Project Leader, passing responsibilities to Dr. Horacio Chavira Sevilla, the senior vet employed within the project. Our link with the Veterinary University has strengthened over the years as part of the veterinary students’ training involves working with the clinic and thus providing help to the working donkeys. The project delivers between 15,000 and 20,000 treatments a year.

After many years of campaigning for improvements at the notorious San Bernabe Market, the conditions of the animals have improved. However there is much more to do and we continue to provide funding and liaison to ensure further improvements.

Education plays an important part of our work and is imparted daily during clinic visits and through organised courses. As with all Donkey Sanctuary overseas projects, children’s education on donkey welfare is a further priority area for development in 2005. Investing for the future in an Education Officer to teach children on donkeys’ needs will bring benefits to the care of donkeys in the years to come.

Our Mexican farriers are now becoming recognised worldwide and are invited to run training courses, run by ourselves and other charities, in various developing countries.

One of our biggest achievements is at the rubbish dumps at Nezahualcoyotl, thought to be the largest slum in world with a human population in excess of 3 million living and working at the dump. Donkeys, mules and horses are used daily to haul makeshift carts piled high with rubbish to the dumps. Previously, the animals were in a very poor condition but by regular attendance at the site great inroads have been made into the health and welfare of these animals.

All of The Donkey Sanctuarys work overseas relies totally on donations from the general public, companies or charitable trusts. Just a small donation could be the difference between life and death for donkeys in Mexico.

If you feel you could help fund our work overseas by kindly making a donation, please click here.