The Brooke Hospital for Animals is the UK registered charitable organization, which aims to improve the welfare of working equine animals in developing countries. The DCA/Brooke partnership commenced in April 2008 and has been renewed annually till date. The ongoing partnership project started in 1st April 2021 and will last till 31st March 2022 which will allow us not only to reach new targets, but will also enables us to work for the sustainability of the one-welfare outcomes (related to working equines, their owners/private service providers, and the environment) achieved in previous years. The partnership encourages integrated and collective intervention by the other DCA projects and stakeholders including the Government, NGOs, local service providers, educational institutions, and community influencers. There are 1.7M working equids (donkeys, horses, mules) in the country (FAO Livestock census 2003). A research study accomplished by the DCA/Brooke project (under the supervision of representatives from MAIL/DAIL departments) recommended great value and contribution of these animals in the livelihoods and resilience of the rural and suburban communities. All the interviewed people strongly commented that unless they keep working equines, they were not able to cultivate land and rear other animal species. They stated that the working equines were involved in agriculture from plowing to the harvesting and marketing of the products. Goods/people transportation, ambulance services for the sick family members, carrying children to schools, fetching water for households and their animal consumption, irrigation, constructions, and several other activities are the main jobs these animals are carrying. Working equids are the accompanying animals providing comfort to thousands of households and helping the household with their day to day house chores. In spite of the great role and contribution of these animals in the livelihoods and resilience of the households, the living and working condition of these animals are terrible and are suffering severe welfare issues. Beating, overloading, overworking, poor feeding, inadequate watering, poor housing, ill-harnessing, ignorance, discrimination among animal species are the main welfare risks to these animals which have caused them severe injuries, lameness, colic, poor body conditions and shorter living cycles. Studies have shown that 80% of these welfare risks are owner related and are preventable. Our 14 years of work experience in this field have shown that by using certain approaches big and sustainable changes can be obtained. Extension of the partnership has given us the opportunity to build upon our learnings and experiences and reach more animals in need by improving the livelihoods and resilience of their poor owners. Through teaching the owners husbandry practices/skills and through their better access to quality welfare and animal health services, a much better welfare and performance of their working equids will be reached.

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