14/10/2009                        

A Harlech man who spends his holidays treating neglected and abused horses, donkeys and ponies is to receive a special award at the House of Lords from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Equine dentist Andre Majerski, 61, has spent his summer holidays for the past seven years working for free treating suffering animals in the Greek islands of Zakinthos, Kefalonia and Corfu.

Many of the horses and donkeys he treats are working animals or are kept for tourist photo opportunities but most receive
minimal care.

Some of their teeth are in such a bad state that, unable
to eat, they are slowly starving.

Andre will receive his International award at IFAW’s
prestigious Animal Action Awards ceremony, hosted by
Baroness Gale, at the House of Lords on October 21.

IFAW’s UK Director Robbie Marsland said: “We are very
pleased to be able to recognise Andre’s efforts. His
dedication to improving the lives of neglected animals
both at home and abroad is unquestionable and he is a
deserving winner of IFAW’s International Animal Action
Award.”

When he isn’t volunteering, Andre works full-time as an
equine dentist in Wales, mainly treating rescued horses,
donkeys and ponies as well as the occasional llama and
alpaca, with Freshfields Animal Rescue and other animal
charities.

Andre said: “I have always loved animals and became an
equine dentist because I get real satisfaction from
treating an animal and leaving it in a better condition
than when it was brought to me.

“I began treating animals on the Greek islands after my daughter moved there and I found there was a real need. I was absolutely astonished and delighted to find out I was to receive an award from IFAW. I am extremely flattered.”