Truffles is 26 years old and came to the Sanctuary in early 1989 with her friend Whisky. After Whisky’s death, Truffles and Aoife teamed up and they are both now living in the ‘oldies’ group of donkeys at Hannigan’s Farm

It's an interesting phrase and is usually taken to mean "a really long time". In the case of a lot of our donkeys it is quite literally the description of how long they will be with us! When we undertake to care for a donkey we know that it could be with us for decades so we are honourbound to make sure we have the funds and the expertise to make good our pledge to them.

The Donkey Sanctuary is delighted to announce that it has received a grant of €50,000 from Ms Mary Coughlan TD, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. These funds will be put towards our schools’ education programme and will be used during the year ahead promoting good practice in animal welfare.

As everyone was enjoying the build up to Christmas, a poorly donkey died from hyperlipaemia only 10 days after giving birth to a little filly foal. Discussions between the foal’s Vet, the donkeys’ owner and Donkey Sanctuary Vet, Eamon Walsh, led to a life-saving decision that the foal would be relinquished to our care.