Lonely Lottie Finds Love in Time for Christmas
A lonely little donkey has found love at The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary just in time for Christmas.
Lottie the donkey was in a very bad way when the Penryn-based animal charity took her in. Staff at the sanctuary estimate her to be around 13 years old and say she was extremely depressed on arrival, having spent many miserable years as a beach donkey, forced to give rides to holidaymakers.
The little equine was so painfully thin she was scored as emaciated and required emergency dental treatment to address the terrible condition of her teeth. Shockingly, it also appeared she had recently given birth, which experts say could have explained her depression. It is not known what became of her foal, but donkeys are extremely devoted mothers and will show signs of grief if they lose a foal.
Generally, the welfare of donkeys who work on beaches is subject to the scrutiny of local authorities, but, as in Lottie’s case, some individuals remain unlicensed, which means their care and treatment is simply not monitored.
Due to her poor health, Lottie had to spend 6 weeks on her own in quarantine at the sanctuary, to allow her to receive the specialist care and treatment that she required, but it became clear to staff that what she desperately needed was a friend.
Luckily, her health improved and she was recently able to come out of quarantine to be introduced to some donkey friends. Lottie’s first meeting with Hamish, a 16-month-old donkey rescued with two others last November, went incredibly well, with the pair bonding quickly and Flicka staff encouraged by their progress.
Flicka Yard Manager, Katie Hosking said: “Lottie’s condition gave us huge cause for concern when she arrived, so it is just fantastic to see her recovering and making friends at the sanctuary now. She has really fallen for Hamish and Hamish does seem rather smitten with her too!”
The charity reports that they are still closely monitoring Lottie’s health, but she has already also met some of Hamish’s friends and a few of the sanctuary’s elderly donkey residents.
Katie added “Lottie will continue to meet more of the other donkeys who live here and, in time, we are sure she will make even more friends. It’s going to be great to follow her progress over the coming months.”
The Flicka Foundation has taken in over 600 animals in the 21 years since its inception, most of which have been rescued from conditions of abuse and neglect and abandonment and given a safe home for life at their sanctuary.
The charity has recently launched an urgent appeal to cover the costs of feeding its equine residents over the winter months. You can find out more about the appeal and their work by visiting their website: www.flickafoundation.org.uk/winter-appeal
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Notes to Editors:
About The Flicka Foundation
The Flicka Foundation Horse and Donkey Sanctuary (Charity reg. No. 1153858) was founded by Mary Berryman in 1995, following the rescue of an elderly pony named Mickey. Mary loved all animals with a passion and could not bear animal suffering. Now celebrating its 21st anniversary, the charity has rescued and rehabilitated well over 600 animals since its inception. Members of the public are welcome to visit the horses and donkeys all year round.
Telephone: 01326 373601
Web: www.flickafoundation.org.uk
Opening Times: 11.00-16.00 daily (closed Mondays and Fridays, open weekends only during winter months)
For more information or pictures, please contact:
Judy Giles (Director, Trustee)
[email protected]
Tel; 01326 373601
A lonely little donkey has found love at The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary just in time for Christmas.
Lottie the donkey was in a very bad way when the Penryn-based animal charity took her in. Staff at the sanctuary estimate her to be around 13 years old and say she was extremely depressed on arrival, having spent many miserable years as a beach donkey, forced to give rides to holidaymakers.
The little equine was so painfully thin she was scored as emaciated and required emergency dental treatment to address the terrible condition of her teeth. Shockingly, it also appeared she had recently given birth, which experts say could have explained her depression. It is not known what became of her foal, but donkeys are extremely devoted mothers and will show signs of grief if they lose a foal.
Generally, the welfare of donkeys who work on beaches is subject to the scrutiny of local authorities, but, as in Lottie’s case, some individuals remain unlicensed, which means their care and treatment is simply not monitored.
Due to her poor health, Lottie had to spend 6 weeks on her own in quarantine at the sanctuary, to allow her to receive the specialist care and treatment that she required, but it became clear to staff that what she desperately needed was a friend.
Luckily, her health improved and she was recently able to come out of quarantine to be introduced to some donkey friends. Lottie’s first meeting with Hamish, a 16-month-old donkey rescued with two others last November, went incredibly well, with the pair bonding quickly and Flicka staff encouraged by their progress.
Flicka Yard Manager, Katie Hosking said: “Lottie’s condition gave us huge cause for concern when she arrived, so it is just fantastic to see her recovering and making friends at the sanctuary now. She has really fallen for Hamish and Hamish does seem rather smitten with her too!”
The charity reports that they are still closely monitoring Lottie’s health, but she has already also met some of Hamish’s friends and a few of the sanctuary’s elderly donkey residents.
Katie added “Lottie will continue to meet more of the other donkeys who live here and, in time, we are sure she will make even more friends. It’s going to be great to follow her progress over the coming months.”
The Flicka Foundation has taken in over 600 animals in the 21 years since its inception, most of which have been rescued from conditions of abuse and neglect and abandonment and given a safe home for life at their sanctuary.
The charity has recently launched an urgent appeal to cover the costs of feeding its equine residents over the winter months. You can find out more about the appeal and their work by visiting their website: www.flickafoundation.org.uk/winter-appeal
<ENDS>
Notes to Editors:
About The Flicka Foundation
The Flicka Foundation Horse and Donkey Sanctuary (Charity reg. No. 1153858) was founded by Mary Berryman in 1995, following the rescue of an elderly pony named Mickey. Mary loved all animals with a passion and could not bear animal suffering. Now celebrating its 21st anniversary, the charity has rescued and rehabilitated well over 600 animals since its inception. Members of the public are welcome to visit the horses and donkeys all year round.
Telephone: 01326 373601
Web: www.flickafoundation.org.uk
Opening Times: 11.00-16.00 daily (closed Mondays and Fridays, open weekends only during winter months)
For more information or pictures, please contact:
Judy Giles (Director, Trustee)
[email protected]
Tel; 01326 373601
