Every day is a busy one for Dr Chaburite Chala at the Merkato Donkey Health and Welfare Clinic, treating up to 30 animals a day.
Haile Sisay has brought one of his donkeys in for a check-up. It was injured in a car accident two days ago. Sisay brings the animal in daily to have its wounds cleaned and dressed.
“I don’t know how to thank this clinic enough. My donkey is being treated – for free. I have no words.” Said Haile Sisay, Donkey owner
Another businessman has brought in a limping donkey. Dr Chala administers a painkiller and trims its hoof to locate the injury.
“There was sharp material, small stones and I removed those very small pieces of stones that would create pressure on the hoof of donkey while it was walking, on that part of the hoof. It is not automatically cured to walk properly, it needs some time. We shall flush the areas for 3 to 4 consecutive days so that the bacteria will be removed from the area and the donkey will cure.” Said Dr. Chaburite Chala, Veterinary, Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia
The clinic is located near Merkato, the biggest open-air market in Addis Ababa. Around 4-thousand donkeys are brought to the market daily – mostly in the grain section. A donkey can earn its owner between five and 40 dollars a day. However, many people don’t take proper care of their animals.
“One donkey owner may lead a family of four up to eight family members so if this service stopped here the lives of those people will stop.” Said Dr. Chaburite Chala, Veterinary, Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia
Some of the most common complaints Dr Chala treats include injuries from beatings and brandings, overgrown hooves and lameness. Many donkeys are brought in with back sores, and the clinic has designed special saddles to protect the animals.
The clinic is funded by Donkey Sanctuary, a UK-based animal charity, via the veterinary medicine faculty at Addis Ababa University. For clients who live far away, there is a donkeys’ hospital ward, where the animals are admitted until they recover.
Dr Chala has also organised regular training sessions for donkey owners, during which he gives them basic ideas on how to handle these animals. When he is not at the clinic, Dr Chala is out in the grain market looking for donkeys that have problems and encouraging their owners to bring them to the clinic for free treatment.
