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Marking World Rabies Day,The Donkey Sanctuary (TDS) has highlighted its ongoing commitment to protecting donkeys in Lamu, Kenya, while furthering its global mission to improve the welfare of donkeys and mules.
Rabies is a preventable disease through vaccination, While it remains a deadly threat, particularly in rural communities where donkeys are essential for livelihoods.
Though commonly associated with dogs, rabies affects all warm-blooded animals, including donkeys. The disease is transmitted through infected saliva entering open wounds, and without timely vaccination, it is almost always fatal.
Raising Rabies Awareness Through Theatre has helped mark World Rabies Day and The Donkey Sanctuary Kenya is also partnering with the Lamu Arts and Theatre Alliance (LATA), a local community-based organization that uses popular theatre to raise awareness about important issues.
Together, TDS and LATA have developed a play to educate the public on the dangers of these zoonotic diseases and the importance of prevention.
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A Long-Term Commitment to Protect Donkeys
This event forms part of a broader initiative to protect donkeys in Lamu. In 2024, The Donkey Sanctuary started a four-year project with the Lamu County Veterinary Department. This project supports a long-term vaccination campaign targeting rabies and tetanus—both of which are fatal for donkeys—and reflects TDS’s dedication to improve the welfare of the donkeys who support the local communities across Lamu who are reliant on them for their day-to-day needs.
Vaccination Campaigns to Safeguard Livelihoods
This year, nearly 1,800 donkeys—about 90% of Lamu’s donkey population—and over 2,500 dogs were vaccinated across the Lamu archipelago during a six-week campaign that began in May. These efforts are critical to protecting not only the animals but also the livelihoods of families who depend on them.
“Donkeys are the breadwinners for many families in Lamu and across Kenya,” said Dr. Solomon Onyango, Country Director for The Donkey Sanctuary Kenya.
“Rabies is a devastating disease that threatens both public health and the animals that people rely on. Communities, governments, and organizations must collaborate to control and eradicate rabies to safeguard people and the donkeys,
which are central to their livelihoods.” He added.
Healthy donkeys are vital to the economic stability of many rural families, contributing to transportation and agricultural activities. By vaccinating donkeys, communities can protect their animals and ensure that they continue to support their households.
In order to Support the Global Fight Against Rabies,The Donkey Sanctuary’s efforts in Kenya are part of the global Zero by 2030 initiative, which aims to eliminate human deaths from rabies by the end of the decade.
By vaccinating donkeys and dogs, TDS is helping to protect both animals and people from this preventable yet deadly disease.
The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare charity dedicated to improving the lives of donkeys and mules worldwide.
We provide lifelong care to over 6,500 donkeys in the UK and Europe and reach many more globally through our international programmes and partnerships.
Our colleagues are based all over the world and we work with a global network of partners, NGOs and governments, who share our vision of a world where every donkey has a good quality of life.
The Donkey Sanctuary has been working in Kenya since 1987, where our mission remains to improve the welfare of donkeys and, in doing so, help safeguard the livelihood of millions of people who depend on donkeys for their everyday sustenance.