A harsh winter reality

Prevention is key

Whenever our welfare teams get called in to help, they always do their best to find a positive solution. Unfortunately, sometimes by the time we are alerted to a donkey’s plight the situation has gotten so bad our welfare teams have to make a tough decision.

This was the case when our advisers were alerted about a 12-year-old donkey with severe hoof neglect. 

When a donkey’s hooves aren’t trimmed regularly, it can lead to infection, issues with walking, and other health complications.

Despite our best efforts, the donkey’s condition was too severe for treatment, and we had to make the difficult decision to put the donkey to sleep in order to end his suffering.

With sanctuary-based care now at capacity, our welfare team are having to work harder than ever to help donkeys in the community. The key to prevent more donkeys from being put to sleep is early intervention. In most cases, if our team had been called sooner, they could have helped the donkey and its owner before things got so bad.

Spotting issues like overgrown hooves early means steps can be taken so that all donkeys receive the treatment they need.

Early intervention means our welfare teams can carry out health checks, can help owners find a local farrier, and can provide important vaccinations. 

Worryingly, ill health is not the only issue our welfare teams have had to face this winter. Of the 99 donkeys our team was called to help in January alone, at least 13 had behavioural issues which meant we were unable to find them a suitable new home. 

Behavioural issues occur when a donkey has been left alone for too long, without human contact or other donkeys to socialise with. Donkeys are sociable animals and often bond with a companion for life. Being isolated can cause mental distress and can make it dangerous to try and handle them or make it difficult to place them in a new home where there are other donkeys. 

We know that early intervention saves donkeys’ lives, but we need your help. Your donations help keep our welfare teams on the road and make sure they can provide the treatment donkeys in the community. By donating, you are supporting the life-saving work our teams are doing across Ireland.