Good news from Italy! Our first sanctuary there, Il Rifugio degli Asinelli ONLUS, is now open to the public, following an official ceremony on Saturday 22nd August 2009, 18 months after the first donkeys arrived.
Italy
Our work in Italy began in April 2004 when we rescued 21 donkeys from terrible conditions at a bankrupt zoo in Naples, the result of an urgent appeal from Italian animal welfare association called Nata Libera.
The donkey population in Italy is estimated in the region of 24,000 and they are used mainly for meat, which is sold in markets in salami form and served up in restaurant stews. They are also used for transportation in rural farming areas, animal assisted therapy and holiday trekking.
We have established a subsidiary organisation called Il Rifugio degli Asinelli as a charity in Italy which will run our new farm in Turin.
The future for our core work in Italy is exciting. We can now provide permanent refuge to donkeys and also address welfare issues in the country by providing education and training to donkey owners and professionals.
Venere and Holly find refuge in Italy
By Dawn Vincent - Posted 28/10/08
Tagged: Italy
• News release
At 21 years of age, Venere is the oldest donkey currently being cared for at Il Rifugio Degli Asinelli, the Italian counterpart of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary. She was rescued, along with a foal called Holly, from a donkey breeding centre in southern Italy, as both were in terrible condition and needed the Sanctuary's expert care.
Urgent supplies shipped to Italy
By Jenifer Tucker - Posted 09/06/08
Tagged: Italy
Stables, gates and barn dividers are amongst 22 tonnes of supplies being sent to northern Italy by our Sanctuary to equip its new rescue centre.
A foal is born
By Jenifer Tucker - Posted 22/05/08
Tagged: Italy
On Tuesday 6th May 2008, a beautiful little foal was born to one of the 21 donkeys rescued from Romania with help from Save the Dogs and Other Animals. His name is Filippo.
Andruska's future is in good hands
By Jenifer Tucker - Posted 21/02/08
Tagged: Italy
Last November we rescued five abandoned donkeys in Romania that had been poisoned by a farmer using corn laced with a deadly insecticide because the donkeys were eating the farmer's crops.
Two of these donkeys were found to be pregnant and a few days ago, a foal named Andruska was born to one of the donkeys called Nicole.
