Three neglected donkeys who were rescued by animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, will soon be supporting vulnerable members of the community in the Manchester area.
Donkeys Laura, Snowy and Big Ears will soon be delivering Donkey Assisted Activities to local people, while they themselves are also prepared to join the charity’s Rehoming Scheme.
Their story began back in May 2020 when they were found living in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. All three had overgrown hooves and were in desperate need of veterinary attention.
The neglected donkeys had no shelter or access to water and were confined to an open field which contained ragwort, a toxic plant that can be fatal to equines and other livestock if eaten.
It was discovered the owner had many animals in her care, and due to the differing needs of all the species and the time and resources each one required, the basic needs of Laura, Big Ears and Snowy were not being met, so a decision had to be made about the future care of the donkeys.
After working with the owner and a local vet, the owner agreed to relinquish the donkeys into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary where they could receive expert care and veterinary attention.
After spending some time at one of the charity’s holding bases, Laura, Snowy and Big Ears’ journey next took them to The Donkey Sanctuary’s Axnoller Farm in southwest Dorset.
Here grooms spent many months building up their trust and confidence until they were ready for their next steps.
Last week, the three donkeys made the journey to The Donkey Sanctuary’s regional sanctuary in Abbey Hey, Manchester, where, over the coming weeks, they will join the resident herd offering Donkey Assisted Activities to people in the local community.
These ground-based activities support the development of people's life skills and wellbeing, helping individuals to better deal with challenges in everyday life, while also promoting positive attitudes towards donkeys.
Laura, Snowy and Big Ears will now spend the next couple of years at the sanctuary in Manchester as they are trained in preparation for the next stage of their lives.
Thanks to the collaboration of staff at The Donkey Sanctuary, the trio have been transformed into friendly confident donkeys who will be able to make a valuable contribution to the local community, before finding their forever home with a Donkey Guardian.
For interviews, images and information please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573124 or 07870 849563 (including out of hours) or send an email.
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world's largest equine welfare charity. Our vision is a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We run 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to more than 7,000 donkeys and mules. Our hospital treats sick donkeys and trains vets both nationwide and worldwide. Our donkey-facilitated learning programme helps vulnerable children and adults develop life skills by connecting with donkeys on an emotional and physical level. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation, and those used in the production of meat and skin.
Please note that the name ‘The Donkey Sanctuary’ should not be abbreviated to ‘Donkey Sanctuary’, and the word ‘The’ should always appear with a capital ‘T’ as above.