In December 2020 we were contacted about four donkeys with long hooves in Cork. Sadly, the owner of the donkeys had passed away a year previously and the donkeys were roaming on a vast area of land without adequate shelter.
Ciara O'Kelly, Donkey Welfare Adviser went to investigate and discovered a colt stallion, a 2 to 3 - year-old stallion and a mare with her filly foal. Ciara knew these donkeys urgently needed our help and support.
With co-operation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the four donkeys were moved to a local veterinary practice for treatment. The two stallions required routine veterinary treatments and castration. The donkeys had no owner, but Ciara was confident that she would quickly find a new home for them. The mare and her foal required our specialist care so they came to our sanctuary.
Patricia and Lilybee
We called the mare and her foal Patricia and Lilybee. The donkeys were nervous as they stepped into their stable at New Arrivals, but our grooms quietly set about making them comfortable and secure. Patricia's hooves were long and each step she took was difficult and painful. Both donkeys were so nervous that they had to be sedated when the time came to have their hooves trimmed. Our grooms quietly reassured them as the farrier carefully trimmed their feet. Patricia’s hooves were tender at first, but almost immediately she walked with more ease. She continues to receive corrective farriery and we hope that she will not have long-term hoof problems.
A promising future
While Patricia and Lilybee settled into our care, Ciara found a new, loving home for the other two donkeys where they are safe and comfortable.
Since those early days in our care, Patricia and Lilybee have thrived. Lilybee is a playful young donkey while Patricia loves to bray over her stable door at feeding time! Hopefully in time, these two donkeys will enter our rehoming scheme and move to a new and loving home in the community.
Our thanks
Thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their continuing co-operation and support.
Thanks to your financial support, we can continue our community work. Can you please donate today to help us?
