Animals' Angels visits the markets in Mers El Kher and Skherat to help the animals and support our local team. In Mers El Kher our team starts with a walk over the premises. Due to Ramadan (fasting month), there is less going on at the selling area for sheep, goats and cattle. We find only a few sellers left.
Most of the animals are tied together at their front legs, so they can't walk properly. We observe how three sheep and two goats are packed into the trunk of a car. We intervene and try in vain to convince the owner not to transport his animals like this. He even vehemently rejects the offer that another salesman would drive the animals to his home in his transport vehicle. Unfortunately, we can't do more than having him not completely close the trunk so that the animals at least get some fresh air. Since there is still no animal protection law in Morocco, such transports are neither illegal nor are there any animal transport or market controls.
At the market we meet donkey Abdullah who had to transport vegetables for his owner. Abdullah stands 'parked' on a small square, surrounded by market stalls and without any shade. He looks very exhausted and absent. His eyes are inflamed. Our team cleans his eyes and provides him with water and food – and above all gives him a lot of pats. After a while, Abdullah actually wakes up and seems to have recovered a little. We talk to his owner and try to make him understand why and how he has to take better care of his donkey.
Our team is having many more educative conversations with people today to convince them of better handling and treating their animals. Some react positively, others do not – as with horse Fakir: The poor horse is extremely emaciated and weak, but must continue to work and pull the heavy carriage. Unfortunately his owner does not show any insight at all, is annoyed, and leaves the market. It is always these moments that break our hearts, and at the same time drive us not to give up – for Fakir and the others, so that one day something will finally change.
We free the 'working' animals from their heavy harnesses and too small bridles and examine them for injuries and pressure points. Fortunately we don't find any bad ones today. We give the thirsty animals water to drink and get them hay and carrots. At the end of our day we go to the parking lot where some donkeys are tied up every day. They greet Habib and Boubaker meanwhile with loud braying. If that's not reason enough to go on!
