The Brooke charity organization opens Lexington office

The Brooke, a British-based equine welfare charity with global operations, will open an office in Lexington, Ky., the organization has announced.

The Brooke’s North American office will focus on “awareness, partnership, and support,” including formation of the 501(c)(3) American Friends of the Brooke to support its efforts for working equids and their owners in developing countries.

The Brook has hired fundraising development manager Cindy Rullman to coordinate its fundraising efforts for American Friends of the Brooke.

“Over the next few years the Brooke will be expanding into new countries to bring it closer to achieving its goal of improving the welfare of two million animals each year,” said the charity’s president, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wife of Britain’s heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

Founded nearly 80 years ago, the Brooke works to improve conditions for working horses, mules, and donkeys worldwide. It is active in Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, Senegal, Jordan, and Guatemala.

“The purpose of the American Friends of the Brooke will be to support the worldwide programs of the Brooke in alleviating the suffering of working equines, thus improving the lives of the families who need them,” said the charity’s chief executive, Petra Ingram. “Americans have a close affinity with horses and are exceedingly generous to the poor, so we believe this will be an excellent partnership.”