SPANA launches road traffic accidents appeal
“The majority of working animals involved in road traffic accidents do not survive” – Anna Bowker.
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) has launched an appeal to help working animals at risk of being involved in road traffic accidents.
In the low-income countries where the charity works, it is common for animals such as donkeys to work on roads alongside cars and trucks. When accidents occur, they are often fatal for the animal involved.
With its appeal, launched on 20 June, SPANA hopes to raise funds to provide reflective collars and harnesses to improve the visibility of working animals and help keep them safer on roads. The charity also needs donations to keep running its mobile clinics and centres which provide emergency care to injured animals.
Last year, SPNA provided veterinary care and support to 336,018 working animals around the world, as well as providing training in animal care to 75,239 owners of working animals.
Anna Bowker, SPANA veterinary advisor. said: “The majority of working animals involved in road traffic accidents do not survive, and those that do are often left facing serious and painful injuries. Yet simple solutions can help prevent road traffic accidents.
“Reflective collars and harnesses are low-cost ways to make working animals visible when walking on, or near, busy roads. Made from locally available materials, these collars can help prevent working animals from being hit by vehicles.
“For the unfortunate animals that do become injured in traffic accidents, SPANA’s mobile clinics can provide the lifesaving treatment they need, while surgery or long stays in our centres for ongoing after care may be needed to make a full recovery.”
More details about SPANA’s appeal can be found on the charity’s website.
Image © SPANA
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