My name's Liz Hazell-Smith and I work here at the Sanctuary in our Veterinary Projects Department. This is my first blog which I hope you will enjoy and begin to follow!

At last Billy has been able to leave Isolation - when he moved in there from my home in Ottery St Mary on 14th October 2009 we did not expect him to be there for three and a half months.

With spring on the horizon, the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary is reminding livestock owners of the importance of checking pastures and hay supplies for signs of ragwort, a common weed that poses a high risk of chronic liver failure to equines and bovines.

Many visitors to the Sanctuary are followers of the Minack Chronicles written by Derek Tangye. They tell of his life with Jeannie living on the Cornish cliffs and the many animals that were part of their lives.

During this current severe winter weather with temperatures well below freezing and much snow and ice, it is important that donkeys are provided with a well bedded shelter, guarded against the chilling wind.

Some equestrian owners believe donkeys and horses cannot live together due to the lungworm parasite Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. Here at The Donkey Sanctuary we believe that despite the risk from lungworm, donkeys, horses and ponies can live together quite safely, provided a regular de-worming programme as advised by your vet is followed.