Betty and Bubbles: The cost of changing lives

With an unprecedented financial toll being placed on our work to sustainably transform lives for donkeys across Ireland, your support is more vital than ever.

We have supported more than 650 donkeys between January and May thanks to the love and commitment of supporters like you. However, as we have reached capacity for sanctuary based care, we are experiencing a higher demand for our services in the community due to growing financial pressures.

Meeting this demand comes at a significant cost, an issue that Cathy Griffin, our Head of Donkey Welfare, is all too aware of.

“Since reaching capacity at our sanctuary, we’ve been prioritising supporting owners to better understand their donkeys’ needs,” Cathy says.

“We provided ongoing support to 250 donkey owners from January to May. These repeat visits are essential for our mission to make a sustainable change in the way donkeys are cared for.

“But this work requires a significant amount of time and resources – with our support work averaging around €22,000 per month. We have tried to find ways to reduce costs, but there are still more donkeys who require our help.”

Betty and Bubbles are just two of the many donkeys who have benefitted from our support.

A dark brown donkey standing in a wet muddy field — Bubbles was found wet and cold from a lack of shelter.

We helped privately rehome the pair in 2023 after they were brought to the attention of Donkey Welfare Adviser Eva Ellis. Betty’s hooves were overgrown and Bubbles’ condition was poor from a lack of shelter. Bubbles was only a yearling and was suffering from the wet and cold environment she was living in.

We were made aware of Betty and Bubbles’ situation after their previous owners passed away and they were acquired by relatives.

They immediately contacted us after seeing the donkeys’ condition and asked for assistance in their recovery and eventual rehoming.

After receiving all the veterinary and behavioural support they required, Betty and Bubbles were matched with a private home in County Cavan. Today, they are thriving under close care and attention from their new owners.