Two adorable donkey foals who came into our care just a few months old are settling in well at their forever home with their new Donkey Guardians, thanks to your generosity.
We relinquished half-sisters Star and Grace into our care as part of a large group of donkeys in March 2018 after the owners could no longer look after them.
After their initial weeks at our New Arrivals Unit, we moved the pair to Paccombe Farm.
Here, the foals became popular among the grooms, making them laugh with their fun and confident personalities.
Star and Grace loved the company of their grooms, so we hoped we could successfully rehome the pair when they were old enough.
Their playful and inquisitive nature meant the pair always kept their grooms on their toes.
Paccombe Farm grooms Lisa Coles and Amy Holmes mentioned how the playful companions would always give a big welcome when they saw anyone and always want to show people some love.
As Star and Grace grew, staff began their training for the next stage in their lives, and prepared them for the possibility of joining our Rehoming Scheme.
With bright and busy minds, full of energy and no previous negative influences, the training focussed on toning down their excitable behaviour using positive reinforcement, rewarding their good behaviour with a cuddle and a scratch on their withers.
Lisa explained: “Star and Grace didn’t like to be too far apart, so training involved walking a little further ahead with one, to build their confidence of being apart.
“They loved a walk around the farm too – the slightest raise of a head collar and they placed their heads straight in and were ready to go.”
Their training also included an obstacle course introducing them to items they may encounter in and around their new home.
From a crunchy tarpaulin to puddles and flags, and from a wheelchair to an umbrella, nothing seemed to phase them, and they happily walked onto a trailer without hesitation.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the donkeys’ new Guardians completed virtual training in February 2021 and they were very excited to rehome Star and Grace and complete their family setup.
Our Donkey Welfare Adviser Sophie Foster has provided ongoing support and practical training on site since they received the two donkeys in August 2021.
Set in the mid-Devon countryside, Star and Grace’s new home offers the donkeys a natural environment full of sensory enrichment opportunities. As soon as they arrived and walked off the trailer, their ears were up and they kept stopping and looking around, with Star nibbling the hedgerow straight away.
Their Guardians added: “They have settled in amazingly well; it has only been two months but we already can’t imagine life without them!
“They are inquisitive and funny and we are honoured to have been chosen as their Guardians.”
Sophie said: “It’s lovely to see they are getting on well with their new family.
“After just a couple of weeks, they were happily laying down together, a sign that they were feeling comfortable and safe in their new environment.”
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