Four donkeys, rehomed after a change in their owner's circumstances due to Covid-19, are now thriving together in their new forever home.
Collanney, Jackie, Jenny and Pooke, lived with their previous owner for several years, but changes in circumstances due to the pandemic meant the group needed a new home.
We rarely rehome a group of four, but after hearing about their situation, Donkey Welfare Adviser Keira Benham remembered a couple who were keen to take on a larger group of donkeys.
When Wendy and Roger from Preston, Lancashire, heard the group needed a new home, they jumped at the chance to be Donkey Guardians, and our teams set plans in motion.
The four donkeys were used to being around people and were very calm-natured, and while the new Guardians had not kept donkeys before, the team believed that they could provide a safe and loving home with the appropriate training and support.
Wendy and Roger constructed a large donkey barn with two internal stables in preparation for the donkeys' arrival. The barn is expandable to provide further shelter in bad weather and is surrounded by a large area of securely fenced hardstanding, which the donkeys can access at all times.
Donkeys require a solid, waterproof shelter to protect them from the elements and a clean, dry resting area. A hardstanding and dry bedding help to support good hoof health and can help prevent donkeys from developing conditions due to standing on wet ground.
Keira ensured the couple was fully supported during the process, offering a combination of virtual visits and in-person practical support when required.
Keira said: "When the donkeys arrived, they were allowed time to settle and explore their new surroundings.
"To ensure their mental and physical wellbeing, Wendy and Roger also provided them with enrichment activities such as tree logs, cuttings and enrichment toys."
The four have since grown in confidence, and their characters have started to shine through.
Jackie is the gentlest, most loving donkey of the group and enjoys one-on-one cuddles and scratches. She is bonded closely to Collanney and can be very inquisitive with new visitors, and positions herself to get some attention.
Meanwhile, Pooke and Jenny are the quieter pair and seem to enjoy spending time together in the background.
Keira added: "The donkeys have benefitted from the creativity of their Guardian home. They are very close, have a unique dynamic, and are all super to handle and assess whenever I visit.
"I receive regular updates on their progress. They even have a lovely new cattle brush as a scratching post in their barn. They are very lucky donkeys!"
Donkey Guardians are essential to our work, helping to provide safe, loving homes for hundreds of donkeys. The rehoming scheme helps free up vital space at our sanctuaries for donkeys who require more specialist care.
