The Donkey Sanctuary

Last week we told you about an old donkey friend we have known for many years, but this week we would like to introduce you to a young donkey we have only recently met. He couldn't be more different from Wogan - not better though, just different!

Last week I was sat in the office wondering where does time go and noticing that the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn a golden colour. With the calendar poised to enter a new month, I wondered if we might have any donkeys called September and here she is!

Our Derbyshire Centre in Flagg near Buxton is hosting a free Summer Fair on Sunday 5th September between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

This will be the Centre's biggest family fundraising event of the year. Visitors can get ‘hands on’ with the donkeys, enjoy donkey walking and grooming sessions and meet the staff, including talks and demonstrations from the vet and farrier.

On Tuesday 6th July 2010 a handsome grey colt was born in the early hours of the morning here at the Sanctuary and we gave our supporters an opportunity to name him in a competition to help raise funds for the Sanctuary. And the winning name is...

"Julio" (pronounced "Hoo-leo")

We are currently looking for an Area Welfare Officer to cover the regions of Derbyshire and Cheshire. The successful applicant will be working as part of a regional team providing support, care and advice to any donkey or mule owners within the two counties.

I was down at Paccombe Farm last week looking for a cheeky little donkey story for a national magazine. I met Frosty and caught her little antics on video. Thought I'd share it with you.

Frosty is 32 years of age and lives with our 'oldies' group on the farm and has been living here at the Sanctuary since 2003 when she was relinquished into our care.

On Friday 27th August 2010, welfare officers from the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary will present a top regional award to the owners of a group of working donkeys in Paignton from 11am on the Green.

On Wednesday 25th August 2010, welfare officers from the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary will present a top regional award to the owners of a working donkey in Clovelly from 11am at The Donkey Stables.

Hello everybody!

I am finally back at work after 10 weeks off following knee surgery, and it is fantastic to be back and see the progress that has been made with some of our more difficult mules!

We have recently welcomed Michaela to our team here at Town Barton, and she has been working hard on mule behaviour and training along side Lil, Emma and Sophie.

It may have been raining cats and dogs outside this morning, but inside the barns Phil, the donkeys and myself were warm and dry. There is something very comforting about sharing a barn with donkeys when the weather is atrocious outside. Some donkeys snuffle about in the straw, pushing it about with their muzzles, or they bury their heads in it and then shake it all about!