Fresh start for rescued donkeys

Our team discovered one-year-old Boltie, three-year-old Louise and four-year-old Thelma with two colt foals, Ronan and Mick, near to the dead body of a stallion. 

When Donkey Welfare Adviser Ciara O’Kelly arrived, one colt foal had just been born. Ciara was extremely concerned about the welfare of the foal and all the donkeys. 

Had we not intervened, all five donkeys’ health would have deteriorated rapidly. 

Ciara says: “I spoke with the owner who was keen to work with The Donkey Sanctuary. He recognised that the group had grown in numbers due to unplanned breeding and was therefore struggling to care for the donkeys. 

“The vast landscape made it difficult to catch the donkeys, but it was vital that they were taken to our new arrivals unit right away.”

Worrying health concerns

Our New Arrivals Supervisor, Dawn O’Connor, quickly identified that the hooves were bad on all the donkeys. Unfortunately, this was not the only health concern for the nervous mares.

Dawn says: “The mares all arrived with sarcoids, and some were ulcerated and bleeding.”

Sarcoids are a type of skin tumour and are a serious health issue. The tumours often appear suddenly and, depending on the type, can grow quickly. However, they are strictly limited to the skin and the tissue directly under it; they do not spread from the skin to internal organs.

Boltie and Louise had these removed quickly by our veterinary team to reduce the risk of spreading. As Thelma is still nursing and the sarcoid is next to her udder, it will be removed once her foal is weaned. 

On the road to recovery

Our veterinary and new arrival teams continue to provide expert care, and the donkeys have settled in well.

Ronan Mc and Mick are now around three months old, and are growing stronger every day.

Support us today

​Your financial support means we can offer support and advice to donkey owners in Ireland. It also helps us to look after the donkeys in our care and to rehome them into loving homes in the community. If you can help us, please make a donation. Thank you.