The 19^th November 2020 is International Working Animals Day.

It’s normally held in the summer, but due to the coronavirus it had to be postponed this year.

The charity works with working animals – hard working horses, donkeys, camels and elephants – in a number of countries where locals are depending on their animals to help them bring in a livelihood such as in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and Central and South America.

Sometimes these working animals fall sick or get injured – and there may be no veterinary services to help them.  Perhaps their owners can’t afford them.

Enter SPANA which believes that all animals deserve the right to excellent veterinary care.  It gives free treatment to thousands of working donkeys, horses, camels and elephants every year.   They wouldn’t get treatment otherwise.

SPANA is highlighting the many animals in the world who have little or no access to vital veterinary care.  It focuses on the three t’s:

1. Teaching
2. Training
3. Treating

SPANA has mobile veterinary clinics which can travel to animals and help.   The charity provide training to owners in animal welfare and best practice.  They give treatments and check-ups.  They give free vaccinations and worming treatments.

5 ways to help SPANA help working animals:

1. Find out about SPANA and what they do and where they work.  Be aware of the work SPANA do – last year, they provided over 450,000 free veterinary treatments, educated over 76,000 children in animal welfare, they reached 30 countries, they have 54 mobile veterinary clinics, and they distributed 13,000 pieces of human equipment last year.
2. Find out how you can help – this could include knitting for SPANA with the Big Knit for Vets 
3. Support SPANA through their shop – you could buy Christmas cards for instance or support an appeal or just donate
4. Give a gift of Health and Happiness to a working animal – these start at £5 for a comfy new bridle. 
5. If you’re a vet, you could volunteer!