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In the United Kingdom and Ireland we will provide permanent sanctuary to any donkey in need of refuge provided it is fit to travel. Many have been rescued after having been cruelly neglected and others have come to us from loving homes for various reasons, perhaps due to a change in the owner's circumstances, illness or moving house. The owners, having been concerned for the donkeys' future have, therefore, relinquished them into our care.
This page is dedicated to some of the donkeys we have taken into our care.
24-year-old Springtime came into our care in 2001. He was very nervous when he came to us but we took him in and cared for him, slowly building up his confidence around people. He now loves attention and having his picture taken. He is a very clever donkey and knows who he needs to impress for extra treats!
Springtime is part of our Education and Activities Team who go out to local schools to meet the children. The children learn how to care for donkeys, look at their teeth and even get a chance to groom the donkeys. Springtime especially loves to be groomed and walked around by the children.
Pinocchio and Little Jack live at our donkey sister charity based at EST Birmingham and are inseparable friends. They both go out to nursing homes where they bring delight to the residents and, being less than 10 hands high, they are also firm favourites at shows where members of the public always fall in love with them. Pinocchio and Little Jack love the attention.
Pinocchio spent some time at our specialist training centre as he did not like being near people when he first arrived into our care. With time and patience, our team of dedicated trainers built up his confidence and he now goes out to schools as a 'grooming donkey' which means he is available for 'grooming sessions' for children who perhaps cannot ride a donkey.
Little Jack went through similar training to Pinocchio. He is a very cheeky, nosey donkey when he's at the centre but becomes quiet and calm when he goes out to schools and nursing homes. Little Jack also provides riding therapy to children with special needs.
We have recently rescued five abandoned donkeys in Romania that had been poisoned by a farmer. The farmer was using corn laced with a deadly insecticide to stop the donkeys eating his crops. Luckily the donkeys were found just in time by our European team who gave them the life saving treatment that they needed.
The donkeys are now safe and well and being cared for by a local animal welfare organisation until they are fit to travel to our new rescue centre, Il Rifugio Degli Assineli, based in Sala Biellese in Italy. [Read more...]
How can you help?
We depend entirely on donations from our supporters to continue our vital work and we receive no government aid. Feeding, treating and providing refuge for our ever-growing family of donkeys and running our overseas projects takes an enormous amount of money.
Please support us to help care for donkeys both here in the UK and worldwide. Any donation received, no matter how small, will be gratefully received.
Current Appeals
- Bonny's Appeal
Help buy specialist equipment and medicines for older donkeys
- Bruno's Appeal
Help buy feed and bedding for thousands of donkeys in our care
- Overseas Appeal
Help make life more comfortable for working donkeys overseas
- Violet's Appeal
Help us light up the faces of others with our EST Outreach work | 
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