China
Despite the recent impressive development in China, many rural communities still depend on their working animals. Most households in the villages own at least one donkey, which is used to cultivate fields, transport water and carry products to and from market.
Local vets and their assistants often struggle to cope, as they have limited resources, few drugs and little training, particularly concerning the care and treatment of donkeys.
International co-operation in the field of animal welfare is a new concept in China, but the SPANA team has been able to draw on many years of experience with similar projects.
SPANA is the first British equine charity to have a programme in China, where we work in the field on a daily basis with the local vets.
With our mobile team up and running we have now been able to see where the problems are and the best solutions for dealing with them. We are not just helping to treat immediate problems, but are also improving the skills and knowledge of the local vets.
Together with WSPA we launched a veterinary programme in Urumqi, the Xinjiang province in North-West China in 2008.
We were able to advise and train the local veterinary team and purchased a vehicle suitable as mobile clinic, which is now treating the animals of the region regularly.
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