The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary
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Their Stories...

​ 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.

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.
​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.
​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.

​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.
The 3 terrified foals huddle together at the live animal market
Hamish, Darcey and Clover on arrival
Starting to enjoy sanctuary life...
Hamish, Darcey and Clover now!
​​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'.
Poor Marybelle on arrival at our sanctuary
She was painfully thin, with many health issues
Marybelle loves life at our sanctuary now!
Beautiful Marybelle...
​​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!
Lottie before rescue
On arrival, Lottie was depressed and emaciated
Lottie settling in to her new life at our sanctuary
Lottie now!

About us

Our Work
Mary Berryman

The Donkeys

Ways to help

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Adopt a Donkey
A Gift in Your Will
Volunteer
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Fundraise
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Get in touch

The Flicka Foundation 
Penty Noweth Farm
Trenoweth Lane
Mabe Burnthouse
Penryn
TR10 9JB

​Tel: 01326 373601
​
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Reg. Charity No. 1153858
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  • Home
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Mary Berryman
    • The Donkeys >
      • Their Stories...
      • Marybelle's Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Patrons
  • Ways To Help
    • Donate
    • Adopt a Donkey
    • Shop
    • Hospital Appeal
    • A Gift in Your Will
    • Fundraise for Us
    • Lifestyle Giving
    • Wish List
    • Volunteering
    • Foster a Donkey
    • Donkey Defenders!
    • Remembrance
  • Visit Us
    • Visit Us
    • How to Find us
    • Donkey Experiences
    • Community Visits
    • FAQs
  • News
    • News
    • Sign up to our E-news!
  • Contact Us
  • Galleries
    • Donkey Gallery
    • Horses Gallery
  • Donate now
  • Our Supporters
  • The Rainbow Bridge
  • Sponsor a Block - Wall of Thanks
  • Poems for Donkeys
  • Thoughts....
  • Online Reviews
  • Links
  • In Memory of Marybelle
  • Tinker's story
  • Frieda and Finty
  • Privacy Policy