The Council of Equine and Equestrian Professionals South Africa (CEEPSA) is a non-profit company, recognised by SAQA as a professional body, and aims to protect the welfare of all equines, which includes donkeys and mules. CEEPSA are lauding the SPCA and traffic police in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands who recently rescued just over 100 donkeys from crossing over into Lesotho, where they would have been slaughtered for their skins for export as traditional oriental medicine.
“The culling of donkeys needs to stop,” shares Allister Jack Executive Director for Equity Programmes and Development at CEEPSA. Stealing donkeys has a direct impact on the livelihood of people in our communities. Many people are reliant on their donkeys to assist them with their work and to help them to put food on the table.
“We are working on strengthening the relationship between community members and their local municipalities to help them to protect and, where necessary, rehabilitate their donkeys,” adds Jack.
Communities and local municipalities are encouraged to get into contact with CEEPSA to help them facilitate the establishment of rehabilitation centres, rehoming and general best practices when it comes to donkey welfare. For more information on CEEPSA visit www.ceepsa.org or admin@ceepsa.org or call 082 510 0138.