Animal sanctuary wins prestigious award

A BULAWAYO animal sanctuary has been rewarded with an international award for its exceptional work, beating other contestants from around the world.

Matabeleland Animal Rescue and Equine Sanctuary (MARES) was adjudged this year’s winner of the Brian Davies Award. According to a press release MARES was chosen for “their exceptional animal rescue and welfare work carried out against enormous odds”. MARES provide sanctuary to a variety of animals, including 55 old or special-needs donkeys that have been abandoned or rescued from abusive owners.

“Drought and widespread poverty have led to a surge in the numbers of sick donkeys, which has in turn increased the need for life-saving medicines. Working with determination and in spite of huge challenges to overcome these obstacles, MARES also crusades for the enforcement of animal welfare laws in Zimbabwe. The drought experienced by the country and financial challenges has led to fodder and veterinary medicines being extremely expensive and difficult to find,” read the statement.

Mares came first ahead of Baan Unrak Thai Animal Sanctuary of Thailand and Al Rabee Society for Nature and Animal Protection of Jordan. In 2018 Network for Animals (NFA) founded the Brian Davies Award to acknowledge animal rescue and welfare organizations that work in remote and challenging regions of our world.

These include physically dangerous environments, impoverished areas where ordinary people work without financial or logistical support, and villages or towns where rescuers are met with local or political interference and resistance.

NFA co-founders, Brian and Gloria Davies were thrilled to hand the top prize to MARES.

“Network for Animals has been helping MARES for three years providing financial, veterinary and food aid for the donkeys. Claire Einhorn who runs MARES has so impressed us with her absolute relentless efforts in helping animals,” read the statement.