SPANA: Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad

Tunisia

Tunisia's camel population was, for many years, used to transport goods and people across the desert. These days, most of them work in the tourist trade giving rides to holidaymakers. The SPANA team in Kebili make weekly visits to camel stations, in and around Douz, to treat sick camels and show their owners how best to prevent illness and injury. There are hundreds of camels in this area but SPANA manages to see every single one each month.

Our commitment to better conditions for working animals extends beyond the treatment of sick animals. We want to make all owners aware of the importance of good animal care. That's why we plan to introduce an exciting new SPANA project – an educational bus. This mobile classroom and exhibition will travel to towns and villages, teaching owners and children how to value animals and take better care of them.

We also run farriery courses where we train local farriers in more humane ways of shoeing and trimming. Good shoeing can prevent horses and donkeys from developing painful hoof deformities, which in turn can cause lameness and joint problems.

Our refuges at Bousssalem in the north and Kasserine in the midlands cover the other major agricultural areas.


As well as treating horses and donkeys, SPANA also treats considerable numbers of other animals, including camels.

Photo: SPANA