Whenever abandoned donkeys come into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary one of the first questions asked is what they should be called. To us, donkeys are very much part of the family, and it seems only right that they have their own names and identities as well as their own unique characters.
When we rescued four donkeys from a bog in which their companion sadly drowned last month, we thought it would be a nice gesture to name the surviving donkeys in memory of charity supporters who have passed away.
The four donkeys rescued in Coalisland, Northern Ireland - two mares, a stallion and a young foal – are continuing to receive specialist care to help them recover from their ordeal, and can now start their brighter futures with new names. The two mares have been named Daphne and Hazel and the stallion Joszef, in memory of long standing supporters of The Donkey Sanctuary, whilst the young foal has been aptly named Fluffy at the request of a supporter who recently passed away.
Welfare Officer Marie McCormack has been caring for the donkeys since their rescue:
“All four donkeys were terribly thin and had painfully long hooves when they were rescued. Since they arrived in our care our primary task has been to set them back on the road to good health. It is likely to take some time, but so far they have been responding well to treatment and have started to gain weight after being given extra feeds to boost their body condition. All four donkeys have had their hooves trimmed which should make walking far more comfortable for them. We are working with Joszef and Fluffy to slowly introduce them to headcollars and get them used to being around people, as we suspect that they have not been handled much in the past.
“It is lovely to see their individual characters start to shine through and their confidence increase as they get used to their surroundings. With new names they can all make brand new starts in the knowledge that they need not fear abandonment or neglect again.
“Without our supporters we would be unable to give donkeys like these security and a sanctuary for life. For these four donkeys who sadly lost their companion, it seemed particularly appropriate to name them in memory of supporters who are no longer with us. I look forward to seeing Daphne, Hazel, Joszef and Fluffy continue to grow in health and confidence over the coming months and years.”
To report neglect or mistreatment of donkeys, or for free, expert advice for anyone experiencing difficulties in caring for their donkeys, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.
All of the donkeys taken in, including Daphne, Hazel, Joszef and Fluffy, now have a sanctuary for life with The Donkey Sanctuary. The charity is funded entirely by donations and takes in an average of eight donkeys each week throughout the UK and Ireland. Call 01392 578222 or visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk for more information.
