I've just received a lovely update about Romika, the 13 year old stallion donkey in Costanza, south east Romania, who was subjected to neglect and abuse before he was rescued earlier this month.

I've just received a lovely update about Romika, the 13 year old stallion donkey in Costanza, south east Romania, who was subjected to neglect and abuse before he was rescued earlier this month.

When he was rescued and taken to our nearby holding base (which is jointly run by The Donkey Sanctuary and the charity Save The Dogs and Other Animals), Romika was frail and thin with visible flesh wounds and very long feet. He had been tied up on a short chain without access to food or water, and had a deep cut on his front leg where he had been tied with a tight wire. It was also suspected that he had been beaten.

Despite his traumatic recent past, Romika seems to be doing very well. I just had to share with you this very encouraging email from Roxana, the vet who is caring for Romika:

"The donkey is looking much better. Almost all the wounds he had have healed completely. He had his feet trimmed by the farrier, he also had his first dental exam and his first vaccination during the vet exam.

"The donkey looks really happy and alert, he was a bit shy at the beginning but now he is comfortable around me or the grooms. It’s incredible how an animal who suffered so much because of humans, can find the strength and patience to behave ok around us. He still has a lot to recover but we are on the right path."