Where do all our donkeys come from?
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 travelled to the UK in filthy, cramped lorries. Those that make the horrendous journey enter the UK meat markets, to be sold and cruelly shipped back to the continent for European corporate dinner plates. Some are even transported to China, where millions of donkeys are farmed for their skins, which are traded as traditional Chinese medicine.
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 travelled to the UK in filthy, cramped lorries. Those that make the horrendous journey enter the UK meat markets, to be sold and cruelly shipped back to the continent for European corporate dinner plates. Some are even transported to China, where millions of donkeys are farmed for their skins, which are traded as traditional Chinese medicine.
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 remove sick animals from the markets, but they are returned to the dealers who usually 'dispose' of them. Very young donkeys sometimes don't leave the lorries for months, until they are old enough to be legally sold. Dealers also keep donkeys for intensive breeding purposes - forcing a jenny to have foals year on year; each one heartlessly taken away from her.
Sometimes, authorities remove sick animals from the markets, but they are returned to the dealers who usually 'dispose' of them. Very young donkeys sometimes don't leave the lorries for months, until they are old enough to be legally sold. Dealers also keep donkeys for intensive breeding purposes - forcing a jenny to have foals year on year; each one heartlessly taken away from her.
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 here and have grown into fine young donkeys.
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 here and have grown into fine 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 now lives happily with her friends in our very special 'Twilight Herd'.
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 now lives happily with her friends in our very special 'Twilight Herd'.
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!
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!
