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Did you know Australia is the world leader in the cruel industry of live exports?
The Handle with Care coalition is an international alliance of 10 leading animal welfare organisations (led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals) which opposes the cruelty and suffering caused to millions of animals around the world by transporting [...]

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Working together

A few weeks ago, we received a comment on our rescue page from a welfare organisation in Russia asking for our help in publicising the plight of two horses being taken on a long distance voyage from their homeland to Paris (see below). Disturbed by the information given, we felt we had to act to [...]

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We love happy endings!

At ERF we get lots of emails from people wanting to rescue an equine themselves but needing advice on how and where to start. After lots of emails being exchanged, ERF member Gina arranged to accompany us on our trip down to the holding yard in dept 24 (to save the donkeys) to see if she could help a horse [...]

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What a difference a week makes

These photos say it all – we’ve had some pretty difficult times since we have set up ERF and we’ve all spent a lot of money that we really can’t afford, but this weekend has reminded us why we do it. A week ago we took in Titan (who we’ve renamed Wilbur as it just [...]

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How to x-ray a donkey!

 Today ERF went high-tech as Nanette’s feet were x-rayed to assess the damage her over-grown hooves have caused. The Donkey Sanctuary have generously agreed to fund Nanette’s treatment given her background, and requested the x-rays so we can agree the farrier work required. Fortunately, our local equine vet has one of the very few portable x-ray [...]

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Curly feet

The last few days have brought it home to us the extent of welfare education required here in France. We now have two donkeys with appalling feet and, having spoken to both previous owners, they see nothing wrong with their condition and profess to love their animals. Take a look at this video taken this [...]

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Another new arrival at ERF

Meet Titan (well we think that’s his name but until we see his papers we can’t confirm it!).

We picked him up from a farm who didn’t know what to do with him – his companion had suddenly died last year and he had been left in the barn for the past 6 months. Being an entire, [...]

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Extremely urgent homes needed

The following two horses are in extreme danger – the lorry has already been arranged to collect them to go to the abattoir. They are in good health but the farmer now needs the money for them…they are for sale at genuine meat prices.
Horse No. 1  Chestnut Cheval De Selle.  With Papers Gelding 15 years [...]

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Titos in his new home!

Last Friday we took Titos, the little donkey we rescued in March, to his new home in the Dordogne to live with his adoptive family Lisa and Paul. Titos has made a new friend in their donkey, Teddy and also their beautiful horse Cocoa. 

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Nanette….an update

Nanette, the 10 year old donkey rescued by ERF on Thursday has settled in well at Trina’s yard awaiting farriery and veterinary advice next week. Photos of her feet were emailed to the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK and a French farrier for their opinions on what and how treatment should start to correct her severely overgrown hooves….first impressions [...]

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Donkey Day 2

After a second long day on the road, Titos has been safely delivered to his permanent home and Belle and Lena have been successfully picked up.  Both Belle and Lena are very sweet natured and they travelled well. They need the farrier and Belle has a snotty nose but otherwise they seem pleased to be [...]

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The donkeys are safe!

Today we travelled down to the holding yard in the Dordogne to see 3 donkeys, Nanette, Belle and Lena.
 
When we got there, we saw that the condition of Nanette’s feet (the oldest donkey) are quite dire. They have overgrown to the stage that they now turn outwards on all four feet. Unfortunately she will not be suitable to re-home [...]

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AGM update

Friday 30th May saw our first Annual General Meeting which passed rather quietly (thankfully after our difficulties earlier in the year!). As many of our members live quite a way away from us, we received lots of apologies but we were extremely pleased to receive many proxy votes with their supportive messages – thank you!

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Urgent….3 donkeys need saving!

At the groupage yard where we saved Titos, the 2 yr old male donkey who is going to his new home next week, we have been saddened to hear of the plight of three female donkeys there. Whilst we generally do not publish details of animals going to the abattoir as there are so many of them, these 3 [...]

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