Where do Flicka's Donkeys Come From?
Almost all of our donkeys have been rescued from situations of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Some have suffered unthinkable cruelty. Our sanctuary is their retirement and safe home for life.
Some have suffered unthinkable cruelty. Our sanctuary is their retirement and safe home for life.
Miserable Markets
Many of our donkeys have been rescued from live animal markets here in the UK. Sick, elderly, or abandoned donkeys are bought by dealers in Europe for pennies and transported in filthy, cramped lorries across long distances. Those that survive the horrific journey enter the UK meat markets, only to be sold and shipped back to the continent for the European food trade. Some are even exported as far as China, where millions of donkeys are farmed for their skins to supply the traditional medicine industry.
Poor Pets
Other donkeys have been exploited as unlicensed beach donkeys or kept as pets and abandoned or simply not taken care of properly. Donkeys require specialised care and attention - we see the sad results of neglect here at our sanctuary every day.
Other donkeys have been exploited as unlicensed beach donkeys or kept as pets and abandoned or simply not taken care of properly. Donkeys require specialised care and attention - we see the sad results of neglect here at our sanctuary every day.
Despicable Dealers
Sometimes authorities intervene and remove sick animals from the markets, but they are often handed back to the dealers, who typically dispose of them. Very young donkeys may remain in lorries for months until they reach the legal age for sale. Dealers also keep donkeys for intensive breeding, forcing jennies to produce foals year after year — each one cruelly taken from them.
Sometimes authorities intervene and remove sick animals from the markets, but they are often handed back to the dealers, who typically dispose of them. Very young donkeys may remain in lorries for months until they reach the legal age for sale. Dealers also keep donkeys for intensive breeding, forcing jennies to produce foals year after year — each one cruelly taken from them.
Hamish, Darcey and Clover were rescued from an illegal sale at a live animal market. They were tiny babies at just 10 weeks old and still needed their mother's milk. Terrified and confused, they huddled together for comfort - sale stickers and lot numbers slapped on their rumps. Happily, they are thriving at our sanctuary and have grown into happy, carefree young donkeys.
Marybelle was the first ever donkey to arrive at Flicka, after having endured a harrowing journey from Romania. She had suffered years of abuse, which left her emaciated, matted and full of lice. She had overgrown feet, infected wounds, scars, curvature of the spine, terrible teeth and even had a foal at foot. Marybelle couldn't eat or stand on her own and almost died, but after months of specialised care, she pulled through and lived a happy 10 years with us until we had to say goodbye.
Lottie spent many miserable years as an unlicensed beach donkey, forced to give rides to holidaymakers. She was painfully thin and depressed on arrival, having recently given birth. She is now free to live out her retirement in peace, spending her days as she wishes; grazing in the paddocks, playing with friends or relaxing in one of the cosy barns!
