The lovely Fred has been resident at the Sanctuary since coming in with his close companion, Sankey, who was referred for radical veterinary treatment from one of our foster homes. Despite all our efforts we could not help Sankey and he was peacefully put to sleep. Fred was given extra love and care to help him through his bereavement and the search was on for a new friend for Fred so he could return to his lovely home in South Devon with a companion. We try to match donkeys up in terms of age and temperament so they have the best chance of bonding and enjoying each other’s company whether that be by playing or simply pottering.

And then there was Charlie - a handsome chap who had not managed to find a close friend amongst his group at one of our outlying farms, Brookfield Farm. He passed his health check with flying colours and the big day arrived when Charlie was loaded up and driven the short distance to the Sanctuary.

It would be a lovely story to say both Charlie and Fred fell for each other straight away but, donkeys being donkeys, it didn’t happen that way at all. Charlie seemed more interested in his new surroundings than his new friend! However, they didn’t actively dislike each other and each day sees them moving closer together to graze so we have high hopes that this will be a love match in time and they can return home as a bonded pair to enjoy life being pampered by very caring foster owners.