An update to our adoption donkeys and social channels
In May 2024 we proposed the closure of our Donkey Assisted Activity (DAA) centres in Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, and Manchester and for Belfast to become a small sanctuary and re-homing centre.
This proposal was made to ensure we can make the best use of our donors’ money and effectively reach the millions of donkeys who desperately need our support, in the UK and around the world.
After a period of consultation, no changes were made to these proposals. The four centres have now closed, and Belfast will soon reopen as a small sanctuary and rehoming centre.
Our main site in Sidmouth, Devon, remains open as always to our visitors and supporters.
As a result of the DAA closures our regional social media pages (Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds & Manchester and Belfast) have closed. On 6 August 2024, we launched three new ‘Adopt A Donkey’ social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and X. These channels will act as a one-stop hub for all our adopters, continuing the role of providing the latest news and dedicated updates on your adopted friend.
FAQs
You can now head to @AdoptADonkey on Facebook and @AdoptADonkey on X, and @AdoptADonkey_IG on Instagram to stay up to date with your adoption donkey as before. Follow or hit like on our pages to continue to see when we post.
These pages became inactive on 16 August 2024. Please note that we are unable to respond to comments or direct message enquiries on these pages.
There are no plans to move donkeys from our Belfast site, therefore Felicity and Marko will continue to live in Belfast.
Belfast will soon reopen as a small sanctuary and rehoming centre. Please keep an eye on our ‘Belfast - Visit Us’ page on the website for re-opening updates
Both Jimmy and Jasper have moved to our Sidmouth sanctuary in Devon and can be visited at Garmston Shelter, which although accessible to visitors, is about a 15-minute walk from the main site in Sidmouth.
Tornado has moved to our Sidmouth sanctuary in Devon and can be visited at Shelter 1.
Harbin has retired from the adoption scheme due to his ongoing health condition. He has moved to our Derbyshire site where our staff are able to give him the expert care he needs.
Tat and Theo remain on the adoption scheme and have moved to our Sidmouth sanctuary in Devon where they can be visited at Main Barn.
Due to ongoing musculoskeletal health issues the decision was made to retire Sam and his bonded partner Hector from the adoption scheme.
With correct veterinary support they were able to move the short distance to their new forever home with one of our Guardian’s where Sam’s health needs can be met.
Donkeys form incredibly strong bonds, and we would never split up a bonded pair. All of our donkeys were assessed to identify any friendships that need to stay together.