My name is Charlotte Dowding and I am on this page to raise both  awareness and funds for a little, not very well recognised, but incredible charity called Animal Care Egypt (Aka; ACE) which is based in Luxor Egypt.

I have already been out to Luxor in Egypt this year (February 2015) and from the moment I arrived to this day now, I have had them and their work in my thoughts! I am an animal lover, always have been and always will. You see things on the internet, the TV and read about the the plight of these animals in far away places and this time, I wanted to go out and help. 

 Having now been out there and seen the expression on an animals face, the one of pain, misery and sadness -  that does not leave you. The over worked horse which cowers at the back of its stable, the puppy with his tail chopped off,  the dog that is completely smothered in ticks and flea's and is emaciated or the overworked donkey wearing a life time of scars from rubbed tack that no longer has the energy to even stand up... These are the animals I faced last time at ACE and these are the animals which ACE deal with every single day....

What does ACE do exactly?

 ACE offers FREE veterinary care to all the animals that arrive in their small veterinary hospital - their aim is two fold: improve the welfare of the working animals of Luxor, through their education system they have set up - as well as providing crucial veterinary care to end animal suffering (i.e saving lives, each and every day). They have thousands of cases coming in each month from a vast array of animals ranging from camels to cats! However, the vast majority are the working horses and donkeys.

Why help me, help this charity?

Having been at ACE already and after having seen what this charity does, my only option was to come back. Absolutely anything I could do to support this small charity, because I have seen first hand what it manages to achieve on the smallest of budgets.  It's open every single day and it helps every animal that comes in by providing emergency medical treatment by qualified vets. Unfortunately though, too often the only way to help an animal is to put it down.  Egyptians do not believe in putting animals to sleep. It is in 'gods hands' which basically means the animal will suffer horrifically until it finally dies. ACE have to buy these animals so they can put it down as they then become the animals owner, which all costs money.

ACE deal with some truly horrendous cases, I have been in tears at some of the sights witnessed. But, what is scariest is the charity not being there..... What would happen then? Who would help these animals?

Luxor is not a wealthy city. Tourism has dried up after the revolution - and what a sight to see, when you look at all the cruise boats of the Nile just decaying away, knowing once these were filled with holiday makers - therefore there is no money in this run down poor city. But, for me, it is the plight of these animals which are bearing the brunt. Donkeys are working day after day in the blistering heat, working in the sugar cane fields or the horses stood without food or water in the heat in the hope of providing a tourist ride. Their owners are poor, they cannot even feed themselves, let a lone provide for their animals.... But through all of this ACE provides a small amount of hope for these animals. They offer a wash bay facility in the intense heat as well as a place to get a much needed drink! Every animals can be checked out by a vet and those that need to stay, can...

So. if you have managed to read all of this, well done. I do go on!

Secondly, if you are still awake, alert, and willing to donate, even better!

I will go going out to volunteer in this hospital for just over three weeks in October doing whatever I can to assist the vets, the animals and the all the staff at the centre.

If you don't want to donate money, but would still like to help then please contact me (https://www.facebook.com/acesouthwestuk) as I will be filling two large suitcases of items for ACE to use, please see their wish list on their website (http://www.ace-egypt.org.uk/) for full details.

Thank you X