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Matabeleland Animal Rescue & Equine Sanctuary was originally opened just over eighteen years ago under the name Matabeleland Horse Rescue. It was a Voluntary Private Organisation formed in the early 2000’s during the land claims where many farmers were kicked off their farms and were unable to take their animals, including horses. In 2018, after assisting in the closure of a donkey abattoir in Bulawayo, we registered our welfare to include Donkeys and our welfare name became Matabeleland Animal Rescue & Equine Sanctuary (MARES). Our focus is going into the rural areas on education/outreach clinics as well as changing ill fitting harnesses for our humane padded harnesses and teaching donkey welfare. In Bulawayo our sanctuary, which is actually a rehabilitation centre, is primarily for injured or confiscated donkeys where, if too injured to go back into work, are found loving forever homes as pets.

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