Ten years on: The foal who defied the odds

In October 2014, Baxter was discovered tethered to a wall in a deserted car park. He was left all alone with a frayed rope tied around his neck.

Our Welfare team was deeply concerned about Baxter who was only four months old at the time. Having been abandoned for at least two days, his chances of a full recovery seemed uncertain.

In spite of his cruel treatment, Baxter showed an outstanding amount of resilience from the start. He placed his trust in our New Arrivals team who gave him food and a warm bed to help him fully recover from his ordeal.  

Ten years on, Baxter shows no signs of his difficult start in life. He is a quiet and sweet donkey who enjoys spending time with his friends in Straw Barn at Hannigan’s Farm.

A lifelong commitment

At The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, we offer a home to our relinquished donkeys and mules for life.

In 2023, the welfare crisis put pressure on our services at an unsustainable rate and we reached capacity for sanctuary-based care. Despite these challenges, we continue to support neglected donkeys in the community.

While providing this community support, we remain committed to Baxter and all of our relinquished donkeys for the rest of their lives.

Given the average lifespan of a donkey is just over 30 years, this commitment requires considerable time and resources.

With the escalating cost of essentials, your ongoing support allows us to continue giving our rescued donkeys and mules the safe haven they deserve. Thank you for being such an important part of their lives.