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.

Arrangements were made for Veterinary Nurse, Tina Buckley, and Driver, Patrick Barrett (Jnr), to travel some 90 miles in the Sanctuary’s Toyota van which was bedded out with fresh barley straw, and some small square bales for support for the little foal. Tinsel (as she was subsequently named by staff as it was nearly Christmas!) was collected at 2.30 pm from where she was still trying to suckle from her dead mother. Tinsel arrived back safely at The Donkey Sanctuary at 6 pm. She then began being bottle fed, at three hourly intervals around the clock, by our willing and dedicated staff. She is very sweet and there were plenty of volunteers!

These first weeks are so critical for young foals and, as luck would have it, a special, tiny nursery stable was still set up, just across the yard from Paddy and Eileen’s house as another foal, Amy, had been using it until the previous week. The prognosis for Tinsel looks very positive and we will keep you informed of her progress.