In 2019, we put a large focus on The Donkey Hide Crisis, and with your help, we raised nearly $100,000 to assist in the progress Brooke is making in Africa and Asia to ban the trade.
Donkeys are still being slaughtered for their hides to meet an ever-increasing demand for Ejiao, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and beauty products. Ejiao is made from the gelatin produced from donkey hides.
For centuries, donkeys have been slaughtered in China for these products. There used to be about 11 million donkeys in China— but in the last 20 years, that number has dropped to 6 million. With their donkey population dwindling, demand has led to a search for a new supply of skins. This has caused an explosion of donkey smuggling and slaughtering across Africa to capitalize on this awful industry. Kenya is now an epicenter for the trade, and it’s having devastating effects on the donkey population and on the families who depend on their donkeys for survival.
In 2020 we are continuing to support The Donkey Hide Crisis as new efforts are made to put a stop to the thievery and inhumane slaughter. Join us as we work towards new initiatives with government advocacy and community education to impact the crisis on the front lines.
You may have seen the updates in the news about the donkey skin trade, and below you can read from Brooke's most current report:
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- Currently, Brooke West Africa is in the process of planning a regional Donkey Skin Conference in Burkina Faso, where they have also been instrumental in updating the laws around the donkey skin trade, including punitive measures to aid enforcement. The conference will be held from March 24 - 25, 2020 in conjunction with the General Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock, who is supporting with invitations and co-hosting.
- Brooke East Africa has shared a report from the donkey skin trade conference that was held jointly with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in November 2019. Moving forward on the resolutions agreed, IGAD will hold a one-day meeting to discuss these in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These look at collaborations and partnerships, stemming from the rapid decline in donkey numbers, and controlling the cross-border smuggling of donkeys from Tanzania and Ethiopia.
- Brooke and the Donkey Hide Crisis received fantastic media coverage from this conference. Numerous opportunities for investigations have resulted from it, including a Kenya SPCA investigation into some elements of compliance raised by the KALRO (Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization) report and an ANAW (Africa Network for Animal Welfare) report looking at cross-border trade with Tanzania.
- Brooke Pakistan sent a letter to the Secretary of Trade and Commerce in Islamabad about the illegal trade of donkey skins currently operating in the country. Donkey skins continue to be exported to China, despite Pakistan’s 2015 ban on the trade due to the inhumane treatment of the animals involved and its environmental implications. They also alerted the Minister to reports of skins being smuggled into Pakistan from Afghanistan for export. They have requested that he look into this situation and now await his reply. A Brooke representative will visit Islamabad in the next few weeks and will try to set up a meeting in person.
- Brooke Ethiopia held a stakeholder consultation on the ‘crackdown of illegal cross border trade of donkeys in Ethiopia’ on December 20, 2019. Participants ranged from ministries, federal police, customs authorities, academics, federal agencies and regional influencers. The key output has been that Brooke Ethiopia will undertake an assessment of donkey trade mapping that generates baseline information on donkey resources in the cross border areas of Ethiopia.
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This photo was taken in Ruai, Nairobi County in Kenya. These are members of a donkey welfare group that works directly with Brooke East Africa partners KENDAT (Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies). The photo was taken as they were preparing to join a peaceful procession in the Ruai town to sensitize the general public and the local government on importance of donkeys and call for a ban of the donkey skin trade. The children were in support, making signs and supporting their parents; however, they did not attend the procession themselves.
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Join Brooke USA at our upcoming events from Wellington to Ocala, and Aiken to Las Vegas!
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You’re invited on February 11 to The Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo Country Club.
The Clubhouse
11630 Polo Club Rd
Wellington, FL 33414
5:00 - 7:30 PM
Artists, Artisans and Jeanne Chisholm Gallery are all supporting animal welfare groups, so it’s a party with a heartfelt purpose and we are calling all FRIENDS of and PARTY ANIMALS to join the cause! Meet the artists and enjoy cocktails and light bites.
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What is Paint Wellington
Orange
?
In helping the plight of working equines,
we all share our true color …
ORANGE
!
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It is your passion that leads us, and changes our world.
Be part of our orange movement.
Not in Wellington, Fla.?
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Paint Wellington Orange is a promotional, awareness and fundraising movement to further engage the community with Brooke USA. Our goal is to paint all of Wellington orange so that everyone shares our vision of a world in which working equines are free from suffering.
Bring the People, Build the Fun and Fund our Mission.
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Paint Wellington Orange Kick-Off Event
CycleBar Wellington - Brooke USA Equestrian Ride
The Brooke USA Young Leaders Initiative and CycleBar Wellington hosted an equestrian cycle ride on February 3, 2020 from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. to raise funds for working equines worldwide. The Latin-inspired music night brought 40 people to the CycleBar and raised over $200! A special thanks to Paige Bellissimo, Chair of Brooke USA's Young Leader Initiative, for organizing the ride for Brooke USA.
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Lunch & Learn
February 20 - 11:30 a.m.
Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
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Spring Into Fashion
Join Annie's Equestrienne, Beauty for Real, Heather B. Moore Jewelry, Horse and Rider Boutique, Middy N' Me, Rivet Leatherworks and Sofie's Boutique before and after the Lunch & Learn, benefiting Brooke USA.
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The Celebrity Cruises®/Hotels at Sea® Polo Team invites you! March 5 - Kicking off at 6 p.m.
Join Brooke USA's Sunset Polo
®
& White Party Team Sponsor, International Polo Tour®, Hotels at Sea® & Celebrity Cruises® Polo Team on March 5, 2020 in Delray Beach for the pre-party event of the season!
Celebrate the 2020 season kick-off and Brooke USA's Sunset Polo
®
& White Party with Celebrity mermaids and friends, both new and old alike for a night of fun that includes: live music, open bar/premium complimentary drinks, cooking stations, heavy appetizers (cocktail style standing dinner) with the Celebrity Cruises® Polo Team, other polo teams, players, friends, supporters and future Celebrity cruisers for the upcoming Brooke USA Sunset Polo® & White Party.
The night will include the unveiling of the Everything Equestrian best playing polo blanket and all-new branded polo balls. Wine sponsored by Oasis® Winery & Celebration® Vineyards. Vodka sponsored by Belle Vodka and poured through "X" Hotels at Sea® luges. Celebrity DJ late night.
ATTIRE: White
Valet Parking / Rain or Shine / No Charge
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A Night of Art & Wine Benefiting Brooke USA
March 12 - CJR Fine Arts & Frame - 6 - 9 PM
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California Pizza Kitchen Wellington joins Brooke USA for the
3rd consecutive Paint Wellington Orange.
Dine while you help alleviate the suffering of working equines.
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Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo® & White Party
March 20, 2020
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Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo® & White Party returns as the most sought-after event ticket of the 2020 Wellington equestrian winter season. A sold-out event for four consecutive years, the not-to-be-missed celebration returns to the Wanderers Club, offering an idyllic setting with white cabanas overlooking the tournament-sized polo field and festive lit pool, and a VIP soiree unlike any other.
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Brooke USA launches presence in Aiken, South Carolina!
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Brooke USA highly visible at the World Cup Las Vegas 2020
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Brooke USA joins the World Cup Las Vegas from April 15 - 19, 2020. As an official charity partner, Brooke USA will be featured during the Saturday Grand Prix and will also have a host of events taking place Friday and Saturday on the concourse and in the Taylor Harris Club. From autograph signings to meet and greets, come out and support Brooke USA and meet Brooke USA Ambassadors. Buy your tickets now to be a part of the action.
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OUR DONKEY CANVASES FOUND A HOME!
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Brooke USA, led by board treasurer Dr. Jim Hamilton of Southern Pines, NC, attended the 57th Annual Ocala Equine Conference for the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners in January. We were introduced to hundreds of veterinarians inspired to make an impact both at home and afar. During the conference, Brooke USA hosted a business card raffle for these two cuties! Congratulations to Dr. Amanda Gray!
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