Ivan had been bought as a young foal in County Clare by his owner a few days before being stopped by the Northern Ireland Port Authorities and subsequently signed over to The Donkey Sanctuary in 2008. He was collected by our local Welfare Officer and taken to a holding base in County Tyrone where he received extra special care and attention and in time grew into a confident young colt!
Robbie was also relinquished to the same holding base as a youngster a month later as his owners’ daughter had lost interest in caring for him, having only acquired him four months previously from a neighbour who had bred Robbie. During their stay at the holding base, Ivan and Robbie soon became firm friends. Robbie was a little shy at first but with some encouragement from Ivan and one to one attention from our dedicated staff, they soon became a mischievous double act!
As the numbers of abandoned and neglected donkeys in Northern Ireland grew at a rapid pace, we needed to relieve the pressure at the holding base and in June 2009 Ivan and Robbie were transported to The Donkey Sanctuary’s headquarters in Devon in one of our specialist lorries which are fully equipped with the latest technology. Following a comfortable journey and completion of a successful settling in period (including a thorough medical), Ivan and Robbie joined a group of friendly resident donkeys. The group spent their days quietly roaming the fields and barns and Ivan and Robbie also enjoyed regular walks around the grounds!
As Ivan and Robbie are such young, fit and energetic donkeys with fantastic temperaments, the staff felt they ought to have the chance to thrive in a home environment and receive the individual love and attention they so deserve. We were then delighted when this dream became a reality for the boys when they were sent to a super foster home in July 2010! The new foster owners were not only thrilled to be considered for this dynamic duo but also had plenty of equine experience and a paddock adjacent to their property, so their expertise will be invaluable.
Can you give a loving home to two donkeys?
If you would like to find out more, please take a look at our Fostering Scheme.
Robbie and Ivan arrived at their foster home on 29th July 2010, escorted by driver Robbie (which got a bit confusing!). They made themselves at home straight away and were probably relieved that their long journey was over. After having been shown around their paddock and very smart stable, they ran off to explore. Spent the first few days discovering and chasing Cosmic the cat, who had the sense to remain outside the fence and taunt his new companions.
Another day was spent gazing at all the cows on the farm, pretending to be scared of the forage harvester working in the field next door, and helping Martin and Ann with the tractor and post hole borer! The photo above shows Martin and Ann with Ann's twin nephew and niece Sammy and Holly aged nearly 8, who the donkeys love, and the feeling is mutual!
Robbie and Ivan have upset Ann by braying at everyone they see except her, she is longing to hear them but they wait until she has gone out. Their favourite occupation is chewing on the hedge cuttings they get given to discourage too much grazing, and now love their stable, which they were scared of for the first two days! The beach is very close to their new home. It is famous for the filming of the Russell Crowe film Robin Hood, and is the site where the shell house was built for the next Harry Potter films. Robbie and Ivan hope they will be famous and filmed down there one day, or just as extras if nothing better on offer! They are to be taught to drive when they are older and get to see the beach close up for themselves, and Ann hopes to walk them down soon when they are really at home and confident with their surroundings. Very happy donkeys in a super new foster home.
Lizzie Ellis
Area Welfare Officer
Ivan and Robbie are really cool donkeys and love their new home, it was a pleasure to meet them