A very important update

As summer approaches we are reaching out to you not only to update you on the progress at the Refuge in Morocco, but to ask you for help and support. Those of you that follow us on social media will know that we now have 300 equines at the Refuge as a result of two very difficult issues. Firstly, the pandemic changed us all at Jarjeer for ever. Animals were being abandoned at an unprecedented rate as families without income found themselves unable to feed horses, donkeys and mules. It was a difficult time but with the help of the Police and the Gendarmerie in Morocco we were able to go out daily and rescue as many as we could.

We admitted several Caleche horses, those who pulled the popular tourist chariots in the city. Tourism was non existent for the duration of the pandemic and owners were without income or State help. Many of the horses who came at starvation level have remained. In addition, we took horses who had been taken to the slaughter house. You can imagine what a huge task it was to build stabling and provide facilities for these equines.

Secondly, we were hit by a major earthquake last September and again we took donkeys, mules and horses that had suffered as a result. However, we are delighted to tell you that we now have a very good relationship with the team in Rabat who are responsible for registered associations. The Director reports directly to the General Secretariat to the government and is aware of the work that we do. We sent him our financial details and accounts at the end of every month. Our transparency in all our dealings are appreciated.

For quite some time, we have wanted a new truck to carry equines as we travel all over Morocco. We were fortunate to receive two grants from two charitable trusts, The Anne Daubeny Charitable Trust and The AVM Foundation. We have now been able to order the truck but an incident took place during February which has put an additional pressure on us. A stallion was sent to us from the public pound in Agadir. On arrival, he fell out of the back of the truck and we believed he was dying. The team sprung in action and gave him serum immediately. Within three days we had him on his feet, but he was still very weak and badly injured. Following care round the clock Tonkin had recovered and is able to gallop around the paddock. We resolved then that we would build an ambulance within the body of the truck including relevant equipment. A horse or any equine could be treated during a long journey back to the refuge. We never want to see a horse arrive in the state that Tonkin did on that awful night. 

We can never thank the people who regularly support us enough. Through social media they help raise awareness about the importance of treating animals with compassion and respect. We regularly engage in educational initiatives to promote animal welfare practices. Here at Jarjeer Mule and Donkey Refuge we not only help animals but also support the communities that rely on these animals for various tasks. It is important to us that we contribute to the well-being of both animals and people. By promoting kindness and empathy towards animals reflects our society values and aligns with our humanitarian values.

Overall, by supporting Jarjeer Mule and Donkey Refuge is a way to make a positive impact on animal welfare, conservation efforts, community support, and the promotion of kindness and empathy towards all living beings. Your support has helped us, on occasions, to treat an animal in such a way that has been has been described, by many, as miraculous. One such occasion took place following an attack by a farmer near Zagora, 350 kilometres from Marrakech, after she wandered onto his land and started eating his crops. The Public Prosecutors Office initiated proceeding against the farmer who had mutilated the donkeys back legs. Another association brought the donkey to us where she received a 4 hour complicated operation. We called her Chouf. Sadly she is permanently disabled but our amazing team have made a wheelchair for her! She took to it immediately and her spirits clearly lifted!

So now we are really asking everyone for help. Of course, that can take many forms - we have amazing people in the UK who knit donkeys and teddy bears for us. Thank you so much Jennifer Watson and Jan Walters. Those who donate monthly are our life blood to ensure food and medical care. We really have to spread our wings and be more assertive in seeking corporate sponsorship and as much as it hurts us, perhaps google advertising! Our immediate needs centre around an additional £10,000 we will need for our ambulance adaptation and our operating theatre which is in the process of construction. The button below will take you to a recent You Tube video made by Ellen Cochrane, our Patron in the UK. It shows the best and ongoing work at Jarjeer and is well worth a watch. you don’t have to have a You Tube account to watch the video. Enjoy!

We have also added a donate button for those of you who would like to contribute to our work. Thank you.