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Emergency appeal to save donkeys from drought
Brooke’s team in Nairobi aim to provide water to 13,100 donkeys and feed to 800.

Brooke launches JustGiving campaign

UK-based equine charity Brooke has launched an emergency appeal to help thousands of vulnerable donkeys living in Kenya.

In February 2017, following months of low rainfall, the government of Kenya declared a national drought emergency. Of the 47 arid and semi-arid counties, 23 are affected and the drought is expected to last until July 2017.

Responding, the Brooke charity has launched a JustGiving campaign which aims to raise around £23,000 for working donkeys, that provide a lifeline to poor people living in rural areas.

Alongside their day-to-day work, Brooke’s team in Nairobi aim to provide water to 13,100 donkeys and feed to 800. It is thought that one donkey can support a family of six, so the work is thought to benefit 80,000 people.

“Crippling seasonal drought is becoming more frequent in Africa. We saw it where we work in Senegal in 2015, and now in Kenya,” said Dil Peeling, director of animal welfare and sustainability at Brooke.

“Working donkeys are vital to people’s livelihoods here - they carry water and food for families, fuel and building materials. They help people earn the money they use to put food on the table and children in school."

Over the coming weeks, the drought situation is expected to get worse. Currently the campaign stands at 16,000, to make a donation visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Brooke-Emergency-Appeal-Kenya-Drought.

Image (C) Brooke/Freya Dowson

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.