Three neglected donkeys who were rescued by animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, will soon be supporting vulnerable members of the community in the Manchester area.
Donkeys Laura, Snowy and Big Ears will be delivering Donkey Assisted Activities to local people, while they themselves are also prepared to join the charity’s Rehoming Scheme.
In May 2020 the trio were found living in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. All three had overgrown hooves and were in desperate need of veterinary attention.
The neglected donkeys had no shelter or access to water and were confined to an open field which contained ragwort. It was discovered the owner had many animals in her care, and due to the differing needs of all the species and the time and resources each one required, the basic needs of the donkeys were not being met.
After working with the owner and a local vet, the owner agreed to relinquish the donkeys into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary where they could receive expert care and veterinary attention.
After spending some time at one of the charity’s holding bases, Laura, Snowy and Big Ears’ journey next took them to The Donkey Sanctuary’s Axnoller Farm in southwest Dorset.
Here grooms spent many months building up their trust and confidence until they were ready for their next steps.
Last week, the three donkeys made the journey to The Donkey Sanctuary’s regional sanctuary in Abbey Hey, Manchester, where, over the coming weeks, they will join the resident herd offering Donkey Assisted Activities to people in the local community.
These ground-based activities support the development of people’s life skills and wellbeing, helping individuals to better deal with challenges in everyday life, while also promoting positive attitudes towards donkeys.
Laura, Snowy and Big Ears will now spend the next couple of years at the sanctuary in Manchester as they are trained in preparation for the therapy work.
“Thanks to the collaboration of staff, the trio have been transformed into friendly confident donkeys who will be able to make a valuable contribution to the local community, before finding their forever home with a Donkey Guardian,” said a charity spokesman.
“Donkey Guardians are essential to The Donkey Sanctuary, providing safe loving homes for hundreds of donkeys. The Rehoming Scheme helps to free up vital space in our sanctuaries for donkeys who require more specialist care.”
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