INADES Formation-Kenya provides care for donkeys rescued from the skin trade

Animal-Kind International
3 days ago
3 min read

INADES Formation was one of five 2025 AKI grantees who were awarded a top-up grant, additional funds we awarded to grantees who did a great job on their grant project. INADES original grant project, Protecting the Future of Working Donkeys in Machakos, Kajiado, and Makueni Counties in Kenya, constructed a hay barn, a donkey shelter/barn, and provided vet care for donkeys rescued from the illegal skin and slaughter trade.

Then, with our top-up grant, INADES purchased drugs and other supplies and supported donkey health clinics for re-homed donkeys rescued from the skin and slaughter trade in Kenya. Other donkeys were welcome at the clinics as well, since in these areas, drought and poverty affect the lives of all working donkeys.

Box of veterinary supplies including syringes and medicine boxes ready for a vet clinic in Kenya. — Drugs purchased for INADES donkey health clinics

Boxes of veterinary supplies and medicines including cartons and bottles to be used for a donkey vet clinic in Kenya. — More drugs purchased for INADES donkey health clinics

Previously, in December 2025, INADES had conducted preliminary clinical assessments (through their work with Brooke East Africa) of all 35 re-homed donkeys in Makueni County. The assessments concluded that most of the re-homed donkeys had poor body condition, among other health issues, and recommended that INADES follow-up with a vet clinic (to be funded by the AKI top-up grant).

In January:

INADES held two donkey health clinics in Makueni County, Kikumini and Vololo locations, where they de-wormed donkeys, gave multivitamin injections and tick preventatives, and treated active clinical conditions. They reached 181 donkeys (128 in Vololo and 53 in Kikumini) belonging to 120 donkey owners, including all 35 re-homed donkeys.

Woman next to a donkey carrying two jugs with a protective saddle on his back is standing on very dry ground in Kenya. — Madam Patricia with her donkey at an INADES health clinic

Along with the INADES team, seven Animal Health Practitioners (AHPs) comprising county vets and private practitioners, supported the clinics. All donkeys were given an examination, which included dental and hoof exams, internal and external parasite treatments, wound care, and as needed, other veterinary care.

Man in green medical jacket holding donkey's head while a woman watches during a donkey vet clinic in Kenya. — Onesmus Kimanzi (INADES) demonstrates proper haltering during a donkey health clinic

In February:

INADES organized a donkey health clinic at Masaani market, Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County, where they checked on 12 donkeys re-homed to Tegemeo Self-Help Group (SHG) members who had lost their donkeys to theft or illness. Four staff from INADES, a County Government of Machakos Vet Officer, and six local private AHPs worked together to examine each donkey and provide basic health services.

People and donkeys together with a man in a green medical jacket examining a donkey in Kenya. — INADES officer applying pour-on to a donkey during health clinic

A group of people tend to a donkey including one person who is placing a syringe in the nostril at a donkey vet clinic in Kenya. — Yatta sub-county vet officer flushing naso-occular sinus using normal saline during a donkey health clinic in February

During donkey health clinics in January and February, the INADES team discussed with donkey owners about:

Proper feeding and nutrition
Hoof care and home-based wound management
Recognizing early signs of sickness
Safe harnessing and load management
Importance of de-worming and external parasite control

The results of the January and February donkey health clinics?

Monitoring by INADES already indicates improved donkey health and welfare of the re-homed donkeys.
Donkey owners exhibit greater knowledge about caring for their donkeys and improved skills in handling and treating them.
Links were strengthened between donkey owners and local AHPs, which shoud help in more timely and efficient responses to donkey health issues.

INADES is hopeful that these links will help eliminate overdependence on free services by NGOs such as INADES, which is dependent on grants and donations to provide the needed support. For sustainability, as well as for improvements in donkey health and welfare, those links are critical.