Fostering scheme

Can you give a loving home to two donkeys?

"The funny thing about
donkeys is they always
make people happy.”

Gill Reynolds, foster owner

Our foster owners often tell us how much fun it is to give a loving home to these fantastic animals. The great thing is that our foster donkeys and mules love it too.


We've been fostered
Latest fostering news

Guz, Gerard, Matt and Hayden find Sanctuary in Norwich

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Guz, Hayden, Gerard and Matt settling in at their new home in Norwich

Sarah Hardesty and partner Mick from Norwich became proud foster owners last September to donkeys Gus aged 5, Gerard aged 7, Matt aged 6 and Hayden aged 5. All four boys had been rescued from Ireland and brought to The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth in 2009. Sarah sent us some lovely photographs of the boys roaming around their new paddock in Norwich, keeping us up- to-date on their progress.

A Fresh Start for Paddy and Tommy

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Paddy and Tommy with Springfield Academy students

Springfield Academy in Calne, Wiltshire have become proud foster owners to donkeys Paddy and Tommy, who are the newest members to Greenfield Campus farm. I was able to follow the fostering story, travelling to the campus with one of our drivers, Mark Mingo, to see both donkeys settling in to their new residence.

Snowy and Stardust settle in

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Snowy and Stardust

When Debbie Coxall’s much-loved horse sadly passed away, she decided to contact The Donkey Sanctuary to find out more about fostering donkeys, and has never looked back.

One year on from the arrival of foster donkeys Snowy and Stardust at her home near Buckingham, Debbie has been telling of her experiences so far:

The Donkey Sanctuary talks fostering at Silloth Green Day

Knitted Donkeys at Silloth Fair

The Donkey Sanctuary will be on hand to discuss donkey fostering on Sunday 26th May at Silloth Green Day Community Family Festival in Cumbria.

Area welfare officer, Pam Moon will be in attendance at this year’s Silloth Green Day Festival, organised by Friends of the Green, to introduce and answer any questions about The Donkey Sanctuary’s fostering scheme.

Billy and O'Mally wrestle over their new toy

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Billy and O'Mally wrestle over their new toy

It’s lovely to see donkeys from The Donkey Sanctuary foster scheme settling in well at their new homes. Billy, aged 5, and O’Mally, aged 7, have been fostered by Caroline Paxford since March this year, and were lucky enough to enjoy the delights of a new rope toy.

Bill and Ben's tug of war!

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Bill and Ben's playtime!

Looking after over 500 donkeys here at Woods Farm our work's cut out in making sure they're all cared for, fed and mucked out. So you can imagine how we feel when we look up and capture moments like this.