Some of our blind donkeys wear a padded shield on their heads. This head bumper was designed by a member of staff to help prevent our older blind donkeys from banging their heads on the sides of the buildings, gateways or on fencing.

The donkey’s ears fit through the holes and there is a Velcro fastening underneath designed for quick release should a donkey get caught.

Donkeys will start to shed their temporary milk teeth between the age of 2 and 5 years, subsequently the permanent teeth erupt continually and are worn at the chewing surface during eating.

If you see staff standing in a group of donkeys with plastic gloves in their hands you might wonder what is happening. Once a month we collect samples of dung for analysis by our pathology laboratory. When each donkey passes droppings a handful is collected in the glove and the donkey’s name is put onto the outside.

Around 50% of the donkeys on our farms are over 25 years old and every year we work to improve the facilities and care for the ageing population. Our experience and historical knowledge are unrivalled and we are able to pass on this valuable information to donkey owners everywhere through our welfare officers, training courses, workshops, literature, and by posting information on our website.

Donkeys arrive at the Sanctuary in search of a new home on a weekly basis, but in November 2009 we were surprised to hear that a group of 18 donkeys was on its way to Devon after being rescued from neglect in Yorkshire.

Beauty is 28 years old and has been living at Paccombe Farm, one of our outlying farms, since April this year with a small group of elderly donkeys that require special care. She was relinquished into our care from a loving home in Yorkshire and is now cared for by Evie Butcher, one of the grooms at the farm.