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Brooke to build three new vet clinics in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has 8.8 million donkeys which are vital for transportation.
They will help 20,000 working horses and donkeys each year.

Brooke, a charity for working horses and donkeys, has begun work on three additional veterinary clinics in rural areas of Ethiopia.

The practices will focus on preventative care to save the lives of working animals in the local community. They are to be built in the rural areas of Shashamane, Akaki and Halaba, where Brooke says there is an urgent need for veterinary care.

The additional clinics will see local service providers, trained by Brooke, provide healthcare and advice for working horses and donkeys. This will include farriery, handling advice and improved harnessing.

Brooke’s new clinics will be equipped with a pharmacy, a laboratory and a treatment room. There will also be a shelter where animals can rest in the shade.

They are expected to help around 20,000 animals each year.

These services form part of Brooke’s mission to improve vaccination services and animal health infrastructure in Ethiopia, where small-scale farmers depend on equines for their livelihood.

Ethiopia has one of the largest working equine populations globally. The country has 8.8 million donkeys which are vital for transportation, reducing communities’ travel time for water collection, firewood gathering, and market trips.

Working equines also reduce the gendered workload of women and girls, meaning they can spend more time in education.

However veterinary services are often lacking in the area, especially in rural areas. This can lead to suffering and loss of life when sick or injured animals are left untreated.

Brooke aims to transform the animal health and welfare by making immediate, long-term changes to help vulnerable animals as well as local communities.

The QATO Foundation, which promotes animal welfare under human care, will be financing the construction and equipment for the Shashamane clinic.

Laura Skippen, head of animal welfare at Brooke, said: "Supporting the construction of these clinics will not only help thousands of animals receive better care right now, but importantly ensure that future generations of hardworking animals benefit too."  

Image © Shutterstock

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
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NEF live stream tickets released

Live stream tickets have now been released for the National Equine Forum (NEF).

This year, due to donations from supporters, livestream tickets are available for free on the event website.

Tim Brigstocke, NEF chairman, said: "Our intention is to share educational, important and topical information with as many members of the equestrian sector as possible, to support progress and cohesion within the sector.

"With this year's free live stream, together with our discounted live event afternoon tickets for educational establishments, we will be able to achieve our intention with even greater effect."

NEF is a not-for-profit event, which intends to explore the important issues in the equine sector. A limited number of in-person tickets are still available.

It will take place on Thursday, 6 March 2025 at IMechE in London.