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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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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.