Latest news with #WorldHorseWelfare
Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Pregnant donkey abandoned by owner gives birth to baby foal at rescue centre
Mia is now a proud mum to baby Peanut, who was born one month after she was rescued in Aberdeenshire. A donkey that was abandoned while heavily pregnant has been rehomed, after receiving care from a Scots animal welfare centre. Mia was taken in by World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, after she was abandoned last summer. She gave birth to a foal, Peanut, just a month later and began rehabilitation, which was ultimately a success. This July, Mia found a new home with another donkey who had lost a companion around the same time as Mia had lost her own friend, Molly. Groom Jodie worked with Mia and helped her build her confidence. She explained: 'When Mia first arrived, she was very cautious of people – it took a long time to gain her trust.' 'To catch Mia and her friend Molly, who was abandoned with her, for the vet, the first time we had to use special treats and all our powers of persuasion! 'Mia was also very protective of her tummy and hind end, and before she had her foal, Peanut, she would kick out at anyone who went near either area.' She that Mia now gets on much better with humans: 'With a lot of time, patience, and careful training, Mia's relationship with people has completely transformed' 'Seeing her go from being so apprehensive to enjoying a cuddle and being ready to rehome has been amazing. It's been a very rewarding journey with Mia, and I'm so happy that she's found a loving home.' Alicia, who already has one horse cared for by World Horse Welfare as a companion, rehomed Mia. She said: 'Mia is adorable – she and Duffy, my donkey, spent five minutes zooming around together when they were first introduced, then they had a bit of a chat together, and that was it: best friends immediately. 'As it happens, they'd both sadly lost their friend at a similar time – I hadn't the heart to rush straight into finding a new donkey, and I knew Duffy needed time to mourn. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'When I felt the time was right, Mia came up for rehoming just a couple of days later. 'Having already rehomed from World Horse Welfare once, I was pleased to do my bit by rehoming again to make space for another animal in need to be rescued. 'The team at Belwade Farm has done a great job with her, and she's lovely to handle. She's a very sweet, gentle little donkey and she loves a fuss. I'm so pleased she and Duffy have bonded so well.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Smuggled horses now in Norfolk after 'horrific' journey
Five smuggled horses have died with others recuperating at a Norfolk farm after being transported in "horrific conditions". Twenty horses travelling on illegal transport to the country from Ireland have been rescued and taken to a World Horse Welfare site at Hall Farm in Snetterton. It is believed the horses were to be fattened and slaughtered - despite the ban on live exports that has been in place since May 2024. Five horses were euthanised after being found due to ill health (Image: World Horse Welfare) The animals were found "crammed" into an unsuitable lorry at Dover despite being "too weak and sick to travel" - with foals left covered in their own faeces with matted fur. Included among the smuggled horses were Irish thoroughbreds, Connemaras and leisure ponies alongside other animals that were being moved legally. One foal was left unable to get back up on his feet which led Dover port officials to redirect the vehicle to a holding yard for inspection. Five of the Irish thoroughbreds were euthanised following health and welfare assessments. Pony in a stable at the holding yard who was suffering from a bacterial skin infection affecting most of his body and legs (Image: World Horse Welfare)World Horse Welfare field officer, Rebecca Carter, said: 'At the holding facility I was faced with a heartbreaking scene. "The equines were so still and quiet and appeared shell-shocked from their ordeal. "A number of the horses were underweight and had strangles, a highly contagious bacterial and potentially fatal infection. 'It's not just the health of these horses which was put at risk, there's a bigger issue here in that these horses were carrying highly contagious diseases and therefore a biosecurity threat to all those they came in contact with.' Eight of the horses were taken in by World Horse Welfare and are currently recovering at the site in Snetterton. The other seven horses - who were in better health - were claimed by new owners.
BBC News
07-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Norfolk charity rescues horses found in a lorry at a port
A charity has rescued "bewildered" horses and ponies that were being illegally smuggled out of the UK for suspected fattening and slaughter in animals, including racehorses, were found in "horrific conditions" in a lorry at the Port of Dover in December, seven months after the ban on live exports. World Horse Welfare (WHW), which is based in Snetterton, Norfolk, said it was caring for eight surviving horses, including a pregnant mare and foals. Five Irish Thoroughbreds had to be euthanised. "It was an incredibly sad sight to see this very mixed group of horses, some of which were fully clipped and shod, so previously well cared for, now looking bewildered, poor and depressed, with vacant expressions," said WHW field officer Rebecca Carter. 'Heartbreaking scene' Many of the horses were too sick and weak to travel and were crammed into an unsuitable lorry where one foal was on the floor and unable to get back on its feet, the charity officials - who have been praised by WHW for their vigilance - redirected the lorry to a holding yard for further checks."I was faced with a heartbreaking scene," explained Ms Carter."The equines were so still and quiet and appeared shell-shocked from their ordeal."A number of the horses were underweight and had strangles, a highly contagious bacterial and potentially fatal infection – with the infected horses suffering from painful abscesses and fever." Two of the animals had pneumonia, some were suffering from skin conditions and various health issues, and unhandled foals were matted with faeces, she added."They were completely terrified and when I approached them, they buried their heads into each other and huddled together in a corner of the stable."Two Irish Thoroughbreds are recovering and are expected to be rehomed and seven horses in better health were claimed by their owners. The discovery was made one year after WFW helped rescue 26 horses, including pregnant mares, which had been crammed into a transporter at Dover. WHW chief executive Roly Owers said: "We always knew that the passing of the Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Act 2024, whilst a huge step forward, was never going to work in isolation. "Nevertheless, it is shocking to have been involved in another high-profile rescue of equines at Dover, many of whom were very likely being exported for slaughter."He said the welfare of transported equines would "never be fully protected" without a digital identification and traceability system. An investigation into the transportation of the 20 horses, which originated in Ireland, is ongoing.A spokesperson from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said that the government did not comment on individual cases, but added: "It is illegal to export horses for slaughter under the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024."We have put in place measures to ensure this law is enforced robustly." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
