News
UPDATE: The Donkey Sanctuary Goes Caribbean!
July 30, 2008, 1:24PM MT
By Pamela F Benbow
Helping the donkeys of Salt Cay
Helping the donkeys of Salt Cay
by Pamela Benbow, Best Friends Network
Well, hopefully you've just read our recent summary of The Donkey Sanctuary's exciting work in the Mediterranean. With those new Sanctuaries in mind, donkey fans can now take a look at TDS's current initiative in the Caribbean. We'll start with the latest update.
25-07-2008: Statement from The Donkey Sanctuary
Be sure to click here before going further to read the latest Statement on the Turks and Caicos donkeys!
On 22-07-2008, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, UK, had issued an upbeat Press Release on the fate of the Turks and Caicos donkeys of the Caribbean. But first, a little background...
It was a supporter of The Donkey Sanctuary (TDS), a charity based in Devonshire in southwest England, who alerted the group about a dreadful fate threatening a group of Caribbean donkeys. (Heads up, all Best Friends supporters. Note the POP Effect: Power of One Person!)
Unsubstantiated reports reaching TDS held that the wild donkeys and horses of Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands were to be slaughtered and their flesh used as meat. Not only that, it has been alleged in the past that donkeys cleared from the Islands have been dumped at sea.
TDS wasted no time. To the rescue, Andrew Trawford, TDS Director of Veterinary Services. Andrew flew out to the Caribbean immediately after discovering that the donkeys were in the process of being removed from the Island.
Last week, Andrew met with government officials of the Turks and Caicos to try to save the 60 donkeys from potentially being slaughtered, as the island of Salt Cay is slated for development.
A Salt Cay donkey
Now read on for the spectacularly good news!
From The Donkey Sanctuary: Press Release:
2008-07-22
DONKEY SANCTUARY RECEIVES NEWS OF CARIBBEAN DONKEYS' FUTURE
A Devon-based Donkey Sanctuary currently working to help wild donkeys on the islands of Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, has been met with welcomed cooperation from the Ministry of Health and Environment.
Last week, the charity’s director of veterinary services, Andrew Trawford, travelled from the Sanctuary’s Sidmouth base to the Caribbean island to assess an allegation that the donkeys were in the process of being slaughtered to make way for development.
Andrew Trawford called in with the following news today:
“This trip has been very successful. I’ve had productive discussions with the Chief Environmental Officer and future cooperation has been assured regarding the welfare of the donkeys if they must be transported to Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Efforts are being made to find useful work for the transported donkeys in farming communities.
We have discussed population control measures if the donkeys were to stay, including neutering strategies. We have also discussed the possibility of training for local Turks and Caicos staff at the Sidmouth base in Devon, in donkey health and welfare.”
The condition of the donkeys on the island is generally good and I have met many locals who want them to stay. Having been met with such support from the Ministry of Health and Environment, I am confident that the donkeys’ welfare needs will be met.”
The Donkey Sanctuary aims to provide care, protection and or permanent security anywhere in the world for donkeys and mules which are in need of attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances, ill-usage or other like causes and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among donkeys and mules.
Top Photo/Mihael Simonic/GNU/Wikimedia Commons; A Salt Cay donkey/Candy Herwin, courtesy of Caribbean Net News
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Check out the two webcams at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon on the English Channel. You can watch the donkeys outside on the green rolling hills beside the sea, or watch the more delicate residents chowing down or snoozing inside their New Barn.
Donkey Webcams: Indoor and Outdoor
Why not visit The Donkey Sanctuary website? It's fantastic.
The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon
Meet Marina Melis, Bonaire's Donkey Lady!
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary on the Island of Bonaire
Watch the donks LIVE on Bonaire DONKEY CAM!
Travel to the Donkey Sanctuary, Aruba
Check out Caribbean reports of Turks and Caicos donks!
Caribbean Net News
Dominican Today
Why not join the International Friends Community on the Network. Just click the button at upper right.
And remember: Kindness to animals in the Caribbean makes a better world for us all!