Sanctuary From Your Sofa May Bank Holiday 2020

It's been a while since our herd have had any visitors, so this bank holiday Monday, Sanctuary From Your Sofa was back LIVE on Facebook as we returned to The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth - home to over 200 animals.

We met a whole host of familiar faces, learning more about them and hearing from the wonderful team who are continuing to care for them behind closed doors.

We hope you relaxed and enjoyed a day at the sanctuary from the comfort of your sofa.

Catch up with the herd

We were joined by Farm Supervisor Marleen Stroes as she checked in on some of the sanctuary's most well-known characters including adoption donkeys Hannah, Cocoa, Timothy, Walter and Millie.

Our story

From humble beginnings to an international charity: Visitor Services Assistant Dean Hancock shared the sanctuary's inspiring story while we got up close and personal with the herd at Main Yard.

Update from regional sanctuaries

We whizzed across the UK to check in on our herds in Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds and Manchester before heading back to our Donkey-Assisted Therapy centre in Sidmouth.

Ben Hart with Blackpool donkeys in Sidmouth

Inside the mind of a donkey

Have you ever wondered how donkeys think, feel and see the world? Equine behaviour expert Ben Hart gave us some fascinating insight into the mind of a donkey.

Miniature donkeys - Brandy, Twiggy and Gem

Meet the miniature donkeys

They may be small, but they're certainly big in personality. We were introduced to the wonderful characters that make up our miniature donkey herd by their groom, Richard Smith.

Two grey donkeys, Mr Khan and Ashley, graze together so closely that their muzzles touch.

Donkey enrichment

It's important that our herd get plenty of mental stimulation, so we headed over to Shelter 4 to set up some exciting enrichment activities for Ashley, Zena and friends.

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