Caring for Egypt's Working Animals

In the 1990s, Julie Wartenberg and her niece Kim Taylor often spent their vacations in Egypt. It was during their visits that the pair noticed the harsh working conditions of the animals there. Both women loved animals – Wartenberg was an officer for animal welfare charity IFAW, while Taylor had worked with vets back home in England – and couldn't bear to see the donkeys and horses of Egypt being treated so poorly.

“In life we often see things that we would like to change, but to get the opportunity to totally change your life around and put your ideas into action is rare,” says Taylor. Thus, in 1998, she gave up her life in England to move to Luxor for good. Wartenberg used her retirement package from IFAW to help her niece to start the charity Animal Care in Egypt (ACE).

ACE was initially set up to provide washing services as a means of preventative care. Many of Egypt's working equines have saddle sores on their backs caused by sweat, dust, and dirt that had accumulated under the tack. Simply washing the grime off helps prevent the sores.

Over time, Taylor and Wartenberg realized that there was also a need for veterinary services in Luxor. Today, ACE has its own veterinary hospital which offers care and treatment to the city's animals, with fully qualified vets who work to UK standards. The center, which was completed in 2007, has two sand pits, several washing stalls, an out-patient clinic, in-patient facilities, and a visitors' area. All ACE services are free, as most of the families who rely on working animals in Luxor can barely afford to pay for their own medical expenses.

ACE runs an educational program with local schools as well. Every week, the charity teaches around 300 children that animals have feelings, too, and should be treated with respect.