Last month, on a rainy cold Sunday morning, our welfare team received a call from a concerned member of the public about a poor donkey that seemed to have been left on the side of the road. Without delay the team sprang into action; so immediate that our lorry driver, who was on his way to mass, cancelled his plans for the day and drove directly to the scene.

On arrival to the location in Co. Kerry, our dedicated welfare officers discovered a donkey that had been left with no water or shelter. He had no grass to graze on as he had been tied up with a six foot rope and had eaten all the grass around him. He was infested with lice, his health was poor, hooves were painfully overgrown and most of all he was really miserable - most likely wondering what he had done to deserve such awful treatment.

The donkey, now named Flem, was rescued and transported to a nearby specialist holding base where he will receive a warm shelter, fresh clean water, plenty of top quality feed, a good grooming and delousing, veterinary treatment and a visit from a farrier. Here he will spend some time building up his strength for the trip to Liscarroll.

Flem is a two year old colt, and he has a great temperament, despite his previous treatment by humans. We are hopeful that the future is bright for young Flem, following assessment and training he may one day even be suitable for foster. One thing is certain, Flem will now receive the very best of expert care, and most of all, staff who will speak kindly to him and restore his faith in us.

On behalf of Flem, we thank our supporters, and even more so in the current economic climate which makes every donation received even more precious towards providing refuge for donkeys.