Brooke Hospital for Animals
Group Coordinator, Mrs Mary Gaiger, Point West, Les Chemin des Monts, St. Ouen, JE3 2GT
www.thebrooke.orggaigers@hotmail.co.ukAbout
In 1930, our founder, Mrs Dorothy Brooke, travelled to Egypt's capital, Cairo, where she encountered thousands of ex-cavalry horses being used as beasts of burden on its streets. Many of them had seen service in the First World War…when the conflict ended in 1918 they had been sold by the British Army into a life of hard labour.
Mrs Brooke was tormented by the memory of the pitiful creatures she saw. On her return to England she wrote a letter to the Morning Post – which later became the Daily Telegraph – exposing their plight and appealing for funds to help her save them. The public was so moved they responded with the equivalent today of £20,000 to help end their suffering.
Within three years, Mrs Brooke had set up a committee to help fund the purchase of 5,000 of these tragic animals. Most were old and in the final stages of collapse and had to be humanely destroyed but thanks to this remarkable woman they all ended their lives peacefully with love and dignity.
Our work reaches hundreds of thousands working horses, donkeys and mules every year.
We work in Egypt, Jordan, India, Africa, South America and Pakistan
95% (over 500 people) of our staff work ‘in the field' and are nationals of those countries.
We operate 15 clinics and 43 mobile veterinary teams.
Our veterinary treatment is free.
Between six and twenty people might depend upon one working equine animal for their survival.
The Brooke is the first organisation in its field to scientifically measure its work - essential if we are to share solutions with partner organisations.
Around 80% of ailments suffered by working equine animals are caused by owner ignorance and poverty: they are therefore preventable.
Teaching good equine care underpins our work: by working alongside owners we find practical solutions that last.
We train farriers, saddlers and harness-makers, as well as the animal owners themselves.
Brooke methods are simple, inexpensive and can be learned and implemented by local people.
We build water troughs and shade shelters.
We don't prosecute, campaign or get involved in politics.
Animals in work can enjoy companionship and social interaction with people and their own species.
We believe that working animals should be rewarded with consideration, care and relief of suffering.
Teaching kindness to animals is at the heart of what we do.
The Jersey Group
The work of the Brooke is partially funded by a network of 30 supporter groups throughout the UK.
Ours was formed in July 2001 during a visit to the island by Richard Searight, grandson of Dorothy Brooke, the charity's founder.
Fundraising is achieved by organising our own events or by attending events staged by other organisations at which we sell home produce and a large selection of gifts.Categories: Charities, Pet Care Services.
