Philippa Du Toit

What does your company do?

We provide a safe, loving forever home to horses & donkeys in need, as well as improving the lives of all equines living in our surrounding disadvantaged communities by providing access to basic services like primary healthcare, emergency veterinary care, farrier services, feed, harness repair & replacement, owner support & education. We currently have 26 donkeys and 12 horses in our care at our sanctuary, all of whom have suffered either abuse / neglect in their past / are aged or have disabilities ( we have 2 100% blind horses!), which mean they are not suitable to be re homed. Through our outreach programs in the Thaba'Nchu & surrounding rural tribal villages in the Free State Province, and the working donkey community of Makana Eastern Cape we provide support to over 130 working equines each month. These working horses & donkeys provide a much needed income for their owners and families.

What is your biggest success?

Since starting our Donkey outreach program in 2022 we have rescued and provided forever homes to 37 vulnerable donkeys that were destined to be sold for slaughter / illegal donkey skin trade. Our donkey outreach program in Makana currently assists over 50 working donkeys each month. We implemented a castration campaign to curb the donkey population which is currently out of control, leading to increased tension between donkey owners, municipality and local business owners, who are pushing for a mass roundup / confiscation of all 'stray' donkeys. To date we have castrated 22 males. This year we are introducing a new humane population control program with Dr Mears, aiming to inject 500 donkeys with a safe contraceptive injection. Donkeys that are treated will be branded with a dry ice brand which will allow better monitoring and follow up. Dr Mears believes this will be the biggest welfare intervention yet in the lives of these working donkeys, and will stabilise the donkey population, prevent inhumane slaughter & protect livelihood of owners.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Funding remains our biggest hurdle. We are grateful to have secured basic funds for our outreach programs which provide primary healthcare meds, and replace harnesses, but the ongoing daily care, rescue and rehabilitation programs remains unfunded. Founder Philippa du Toit works full time writing proposals, reports, managing and organising the weekly outreaches. She is also actively involved in the daily feeding and care of the resident 38 equines. Feed bills, veterinary bills, farrier bills are ongoing. We are unable to pay our full time Groom and Philippa's husband has to pay him.