Foster case study

Sarah Hardesty and partner Mick from Norwich became proud foster owners last September to donkeys Gus aged 5, Gerard aged 7, Matt aged 6 and Hayden aged 5. All four boys had been rescued from Ireland and brought to The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth in 2009. Sarah sent us some lovely photographs of the boys roaming around their new paddock in Norwich, keeping us up- to-date on their progress.

Springfield Academy in Calne, Wiltshire have become proud foster owners to donkeys Paddy and Tommy, who are the newest members to Greenfield Campus farm. I was able to follow the fostering story, travelling to the campus with one of our drivers, Mark Mingo, to see both donkeys settling in to their new residence.

When Debbie Coxall’s much-loved horse sadly passed away, she decided to contact The Donkey Sanctuary to find out more about fostering donkeys, and has never looked back.

One year on from the arrival of foster donkeys Snowy and Stardust at her home near Buckingham, Debbie has been telling of her experiences so far:

Vision of Hope is a centre in Wales helping young people get back on their feet after having a difficult start in life. The centre is also a fully-fledged foster home to six of our donkeys; Dottie, Shadow, Spud, Rosie, Parsley and Henry, who have literally helped turn people's lives around.

Eight pupils at St. Edwards C of E Primary School in Rochdale will swap their typical class for a donkey care course on 26th June 2012.

The school fosters two donkeys from international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, and a further training course is being held to teach even more people how to care for them.

Two donkeys who had a difficult start in life are to be stabled at Her Majesty’s pleasure from this week, when they check in to the Young Offenders Institute in Warrington.