Addressing the Plight of Working Animals in Guinea

One of AAA’s newer partnerships is with Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society (LAWCS) in Guinea. Their overall aim is to improve the health and welfare of working animals, including cattle, donkeys and horses. LAWCS hope to end unnecessary suffering, pain and starvation by providing direct veterinary care for 4000 working animals and instigating a widespread educational program for 25,000 animal owners and children. 

Working animals play a key role in the growth and development of the rural population in the Kankan region of the Republic of Guinea. Cattle, donkeys and horses are used for agricultural activities and transportation of goods and services. These animals put food on the table for their owners and send many children to school.

Sadly, working animals are subjected to unbearable, inhumane conditions. Sick, wounded, starving and very young animals are beaten and forced to work; some even die whilst working. Children who should be exposed to kindness, respect, empathy and compassion for animals grow up seeing adults abusing, beating and neglecting animals. The children eventually become animal abusers themselves due to what they have observed, believing that inhumane treatment is normal and acceptable.

In February, the LAWCS team were very active in addressing the plight of working animals in the Kankan region, visiting 15 towns and conducting animal welfare education with 798 adults and 921 children. The team treated 821 donkeys and 645 cattle for various health conditions and welfare issues, including skin diseases, diarrhoea, worms, ticks and wounds. Animal owners were grateful to LAWCS for providing this free veterinary care and treatment.

The education program helped the adults and children to appreciate the contributions of animals in their lives and develop an understanding of how they can best provide the right care and food for their animals to keep them happy and healthy. The children and their parents were receptive to learning from LAWCS so that they can better care for and protect their animals. We are excited by our new partnership with LAWCS and will continue to keep you updated on this critical project helping working animals in Guinea.