The year of the maggots

While, at first glance, it might seem strange to be reading an article about a horse and donkey charity in a companion animal journal, the remit of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust has widened considerably in recent years (Box 1). Gone are the days where we provide care, rehabilitation and sanctuary only for equines; as a result of other animal charities in the Gambia closing down, the welfare situation for dogs and cats started to deteriorate with no other organisation available to offer their services. At the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, we have a strong ethos of valuing all lives, and when we started to see the suffering that some of the companion species were experiencing, we felt we had no other choice than to step in and help where we could. As a result, our charitable objectives have changed to improve the welfare of any animal in the Gambia, which is no mean feat. It means that we now have a busy veterinary centre in Makasutu Forest where, as well as providing care and treatment for many equines, we also do the same for over 100 dogs, around 70 cats and we have even offered our support to monkeys, camels, civet cats and a turtle. Our primary centre is based in Makasutu Forest in the Gambia down a long, dusty, sandy road which can become almost impassable at certain times of the year. Among the trees is a large building which houses a training room downstairs and volunteer accommodation upstairs; as you approach through the main gates, there are animals everywhere. There are dogs playing together or curled up tightly, sleeping in the little sand bowls that they have dug for themselves. To the left you see camels and cows, to the right are paddocks full of horses and donkeys, and everywhere you look you will see members of our Gambian team busy with feeding, grooming, bandaging, dressing and treating the animals on site.