Helping Buni breathe easy again
When Buni, a carthorse in central Ethiopia, fell ill with a respiratory infection, our member charity Working Animals International (the new name for SPANA) and their local partners were ready to step in and help him recover.
Buni plays an essential role in his owner Yohannis’s life. Every day, he transports passengers and agricultural goods around Bishoftu — work that helps support Yohannis’s family. So when Buni became weak, started coughing and developed a runny nose, Yohannis knew something was wrong. He took Buni to a mobile clinic run by Addis Ababa University – College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Working Animals International’s partner in Ethiopia.
The vet team examined Buni carefully and diagnosed a respiratory infection. They prescribed antibiotics and anti‑inflammatories, and showed Yohannis how to give the medication at home. They also advised him to rest Buni and keep him away from other animals while he recovered. Within just a few days, Buni began to improve. Yohannis said, “Thank you for treating Buni. He means a lot to me and is important for my family’s livelihood.”
Respiratory illnesses are a common challenge for working animals, especially in dusty or polluted environments — conditions that are becoming more frequent due to climate‑related issues like drought. Animals who work in busy streets, construction sites or dry, dusty areas breathe in irritants that can damage their lungs. Those already weakened by drought, injury or poor nutrition are particularly vulnerable, and even a simple illness can quickly become dangerous.
Thanks to supporters like you, working animals at risk — including horses like Buni — can receive the treatment, medicines and care they need to recover and stay healthy. This not only protects their wellbeing, but also supports the families who rely on them every day.