this shelter for farm animals in a critical situation

For more than 15 years, the Domaine des Douages ​​has housed nearly 850 animals in Nièvre. Carried at arm’s length by its owner, this farm animal shelter is the victim of repeated twists of fate. Survival and functioning depend only on donations, and the situation became perilous after the passage of a storm.

On August 24, a storm hit the Nièvre, between Chantenay and Moulins, uprooting trees in its path, a real “corridor”. The Domaine des Douages ​​in Chantenay-Saint-Imbert was “right inside”according to Dominique Mauer, its owner. Sheep, sheep, goats, poultry, ponies, donkeys, horses… this refuge accommodates more than 800 animals.

Among the infrastructures affected by the storm, the main shed, which is used to shelter sheep and store hay. As it is threatened with collapse, “we can no longer use it”, says Dominique Mauer.“I called on a contractor but as the deadlines are very long, nothing can be done before next spring. We were on another site on another building to improve things, we are still there!” The shed is an essential shelter for the shelter’s animals in the event of degraded weather conditions.

A problem never comes alone, Nièvre has gone into vigilance “rouge” for the wolf: “We found a dead ram, another butchered. It was in August and we regularly receive messages of vigilance from the OFB (French biodiversity office).”

Added to this is a new threat: “We learned yesterday that we were affected by bluetongue. It was only in the south of Nièvre, but it is spreading. I have two sick animals, they are positive. If it spreads, we can lose 50% of the herd. That’s the total!”

Dominique is resilient and animal welfare remains essential for her, but she can no longer bear it all: “On my shoulders, it’s too much! There are two employees who assist me, but basically, it takes 12,000 euros per month to pay the employees, including 3000€ of veterinary costs per month, around 2500€ of food per month, 2000€ of fodder per month It’s gone quickly!”

Building maintenance is also ongoing. Despite his good humor, Dominique concedes: “I’m exhausted, I start at 5 a.m., I have no public holidays or vacations. I’m 66 years old, it’s getting tiring!”

Create a pound for farm animals in each department? The question to the government raised by the former deputy for Nièvre Patrice Perrot (REN) and the former deputy Loïc Dombreval (REN) was planned and prepared, but it did not pass. Setting up an association backed by a pound status could however be the solution, even if it is necessary “be ready to intervene at any time“.

Dominique Mauer notes that there are more and more farm animals being abandoned, “for example people who start breeding without knowing the constraints”, or due to farm bankruptcies. “Receiving farm animals is a completely different problem for care!” completes Dominique.

The owner of Domaine des Douages ​​suggests another idea, using the cause of animal welfare: “at the same time as highlighting Burgundy breeding region, why not also put “animal welfare region”? By highlighting the association which is there to intervene in the event of mistreatment of animals breeding”

But for now, the emergency at the Domaine des Douages ​​remains to repair the hangar, “I’m putting up walls and concrete blocks, rescues take second place.”

The repairs are necessary quickly, so Dominique Mauer is appealing for donations to obtain rapid mobilization for the reconstruction of the hangar.

Donations are possible at the following link: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/domaine-des-douages/collectes/reparation-de-notre-hangar