Safe Haven for Donkeys’ small team operates Gaza’s only mobile clinic offering first aid to as many equids (and other animals) as possible – around 10,000 treatments have been carried out since the clinic started in early 2024.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza (and to a lesser but still serious extent in the West Bank) has gravely impacted donkeys, mules and horses that are both working animals and companions. Many have been killed or injured by shrapnel or collapsed buildings, and those that survive often suffer severe wounds with little or no access to veterinary care. Malnourishment, dehydration and disease are widespread, due in part to a near-total collapse of supply chains for fodder, medicine, and clean water.
Active in Afghanistan and Ukraine, Nowzad was founded on the principle of rescuing and treating injured and abandoned animals in the face of human conflict. In Ukraine, their teams face the daily realities of war to help animals in desperate need. Nowzad is one of the few organisations consistently providing aid to animals in frontline areas, delivering food and medicine to shelters, conducting vaccination and trap-neuter-release campaigns across the country, and evacuating animals from active combat zones.
"In the midst of chaos, we offer hope and a lifeline to those who have no voice," says the charity. "The generosity of our supporters and backing of partners like Petplan Charitable Trust is critical in allowing us to provide this ongoing, life-saving aid, and we’re so thankful to them all."
The MOD employs military working dogs (MWD) to support military operations in a wide range of different ways. MWD are employed in either Detect or Protect roles. Those involved in detection are usually used to find explosives, ammunition and weapons, or detect substances related to criminal activity. Those involved in protection typically support patrolling and policing work to enable force protection and area security.
It is the very nature of the MOD’s role that its forces will be deployed to conflict zones. MWD are a valuable MOD asset in many conflicts, particularly stabilisation or evacuation operations. Today, MWD are deployed on four separate operations overseas and providing valuable military capability.
War Paws is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for stray and vulnerable animals in conflict-affected regions, with a permanent sanctuary for hundreds of dogs in Erbil, Iraq. In May 2025, just as the blistering summer heat was setting in, our shelter was struck by a devastating tornado that caused widespread damage.
"Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Petplan Charitable Trust, we were able to respond quickly and begin restoring the shelter," says the charity. "Their support helped us to replace essential shading, repair key infrastructure, and provide safe, shaded areas for the animals during the hottest months of the year. This timely assistance was truly a lifeline."
Brooke was founded in 1934 by Dorothy Brooke, who was determined to ease the suffering of war horses left behind after the First World War.
Inspired by that legacy, the charity continues to improve the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules around the world, ensuring they receive the care and compassion they deserve.
The Blue Cross story began on 10 May 1897, when a group of compassionate animal lovers founded Our Dumb Friends League to care for working horses on the streets of London. Over the next two decades, the charity grew rapidly—opening the world’s first animal hospital in Victoria, London, and creating The Blue Cross Fund to support horses during the First Balkan War and later, the First World War.
Throughout the Second World War, the charity cared for hundreds of thousands of animals, and in 1958 officially became known as The Blue Cross. Today, they continue that mission—supporting pets and their owners through their hospitals and rehoming centres across the UK, while extending aid to animals in conflict-affected regions like Ukraine, with assistance from the Petplan Charitable Trust. This enduring commitment reflects the dedication of our Blue Cross team over the years, providing lifelong care and support for pets and the people who love them.
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