A group of six donkeys relinquished into our care to safeguard their future are now continuing to live happy lives at one of our Devon farms.
Anne Crawford, a retired district nurse, and her husband Robert cared for the donkeys for many years at their home in southwest Scotland. They were not just a herd of donkeys; they were family and dearly loved.
They had come into Anne and Robert’s lives as frightened, skinny and lice-infested donkeys, but their health and confidence improved in the couple’s care.
Their journey with Anne began in 2013. Despite already having three elderly donkeys, called Seamus, Fergus and Lucilla, Anne brought another four donkeys into her care – Becky, Suzie and their respective foals Callum and Chloe.
It wasn’t long before Anne realised she had bought more than just donkeys home, as a closer inspection showed they were all infested with lice. The following day Anne’s vet Laura visited to start their vaccinations and give them treatment.
Anne’s three older donkeys had been handled by her since birth and had led healthy lives, but it was clear the new arrivals had only received the basic amount of care and would need time and patience to bring them back to healthy happy donkeys.
In the months that followed Anne’s new group of four donkeys became six. Susie gave birth to Macushla, an Irish Gaelic name meaning My Darling, while Becky, a big brown mare, gave birth to a skewbald foal, which they named Derry Boy.
Becky’s previous foal Callum, who was just eight weeks old when she bought the group seemed very subdued, and Anne suspected he had been subjected to trauma at an early life. But he soon came round under Anne’s care and became a well-adjusted yearling, while the two new-born foals developed into typical mischievous young donkeys, as would have been expected.
It had been hard work, but when asked if she’d do it all again, Anne said: “Yes, definitely. But I’d always advise others of not doing it!
“There is no better playmate for a foal than another foal and I have wasted many hours looking out my window, laughing at their antics.”
Nine years passed, and the couple began to realise they had to consider the long-term future of their donkeys. The donkeys were still young, while Anne and Rob were now in the seventies, and they didn’t want a change in circumstances to force any decision.
Despite the heartache, Anne and Robert knew the best for their small herd was to relinquish them to The Donkey Sanctuary, where they would be guaranteed a happy caring life for the rest of their days.
Throughout the relinquishment Anne was guided by Donkey Welfare Adviser Sally Bamforth. Sally talked them through everything to make the process as smooth as possible. Anne even had the opportunity of visiting her donkeys at the sanctuary in Devon a few months ago.
Anne said: “Sally guided us through the process, professionally but with the most caring and sympathetic approach, making the whole experience easier for us and our donkeys.
“I was fortunate to be able to visit them at the sanctuary and I was so happy to see how well they looked, thanks to the marvellous team who devote themselves to their care. I am so very grateful The Donkey Sanctuary assisted their considered, dignified and planned parting from our care.”
Anne’s donkeys now live at Woods Farm near Sidmouth. They have settled into their new herd well and enjoy a perfect life in the Devon countryside.
