30 years at The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland

Things have changed a lot since Eugene started working at The Donkey Sanctuary thirty years ago. “It’s unrecognisable!” Eugene said. “When I started out, we had a small team and a small number of donkeys that needed rescuing. Now we help thousands of donkeys each year.” Has anything stayed the same, we asked? “We always put the donkeys first!”

Eugene works in our Rescue and Rehoming team. His job involves providing support to donkey owners that are struggling.

“I spend a lot of time driving all over the country,” Eugene said. “I think the days I spent travelling to places like The Blaskets and the Aran islands, to provide vital hoof care to the islanders’ donkeys, really stand out as special to me.” 

​Eugene helped to rescue adoption donkey Richie in the snow.

Each rescue Eugene is involved in is different. “I have had so many amazing and inspiring cases, but also some that had a deep impact on me due to the suffering witnessed.” 

“Rescuing and rehoming donkeys takes time, expenses and resources. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our supporters.”

Eugene understands that most people who take on a donkey want to do a good job. But they often don’t understand what is involved in looking after them. “People breed cute little foals but forget that they will grow into an adult donkey which costs money and time to look after. And it might live forty years!” The result, sadly, is that more and more donkeys are being abandoned now compared to when Eugene started. 

“We are in the midst of a donkey welfare crisis in Ireland”, Eugene said.

“It is terribly sad to see so many donkeys being bred when there are simply not enough good homes available for them. It never gets easier to see donkeys suffering.”

It’s not all doom and gloom though. Eugene has worked with some amazing donkey owners over the years. He said: “The most rewarding part of the job is helping people who really care about their donkeys learn how to give them a good life. I meet so many wonderful and interesting characters… This is a people job as much as it is an animal job.”

Looking back, is there anything you’d change, we asked Eugene? He said: “Nothing! I get to make a bit of a difference every day and that’s just a great feeling.” 

If you want to help keep Eugene and our welfare team on the road this winter, please consider making a small donation. Just €3 a month helps donkeys in need across Ireland.

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