Donkey trio find new home in Scottish idyll

Ash, Yvonne and Roney joined a donkey named Daisy in the Scottish countryside with their owners Tony and Jane.

Sadly, Daisy lost her five-year-old daughter Blossom after she was put to sleep due to severe colic. Understanding that Daisy was bereft at losing her close companion, Tony and Jane were keen to find her a new friend and turned to us to see if we could help.

Tony and Jane had been aware of our Rehoming Scheme for many years and had visited our main sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon several times, as well as adopting one of our donkeys.

After contacting the sanctuary with the hope of rehoming a single donkey, they were soon visited by Donkey Welfare Adviser Adele Crompton at their home near Aberdeen. Adele outlined their options and confirmed that they had space to rehome more than one donkey if they wanted to.

Donkeys had been part of Tony and Jane’s life since 2021, so their home was already well suited to accommodate them. With just a few small adjustments to accommodate the extra donkeys, plans were made for Ash, Yvonne and Roney to join Daisy.

When the trio arrived, Daisy was a little unsure, but within a short period of time the group began to interact more and their Guardians could see the bond developing between them.

Being retired, Jane spends the most time with the group, while Tony gets to play and make a fuss of them outside of his work hours. The couple, who have been married for almost 40 years, are delighted to see that their three-year-old grandson is also taking a keen interest in their small herd.

Tony said: “Seeing them playing together in the field for the first time was wonderful. Another highlight is sitting with them in the evenings, allowing them to approach for a scratch on their own terms.

“The support from the sanctuary has been fantastic, second to none. Adele and her colleague Nicola are always on the other end of the phone when needed; they’re very supportive, professional and empathetic. We really couldn’t wish for more from any organisation.”

As the donkeys settled in, their characters really started to shine through. Roney, a gelding, is affectionate and enjoys attention, while Yvonne appears more independent than the others. Tony describes Ash as “quiet, placid and laid back”, adding: “She seems to be the gentlest of all four donkeys. A real softie who has only recently begun to assert herself to any degree.”

Jane said: “Daisy is very independent. She always stands back unless she can smell carrots. She seems to have the ability to sense when you have a grooming brush behind your back or a curry comb in your pocket. 

“From fifty feet she knows if you haven’t any carrots about your person and walks off!”

The new arrivals have proved a hit with Tony and Jane’s neighbours too, and when the donkeys are out in their field they give passers-by curious glances. Their countryside idyll is also home to a rescue dog named Millie and seven sheep who live in a separate enclosure to the donkeys.

The donkeys’ day begins with a handful of hay, and by 9am they are mucked out. If the weather is fine they have the opportunity to go out in their field, while moveable fencing prevents overgrazing. A couple of hours before dark, they are groomed and their hooves are picked out.

The four donkeys spend all their time together and are never separated. The farmstead where they stay overnight has an area of approximately 150m², so they have plenty of space. 

Their diets are supplemented with a little hedgerow forage, including gorse and willow, while they enjoy enrichment activities with a variety of items including a treat ball, rope toys and logs.

Adele said: “Yvonne, Roney and Ash have certainly landed on their hooves in their new home in the Scottish countryside, and have also developed a lifelong friendship with Daisy in the wonderful care of Tony and Jane who adore them.”

It is clear that the couple love their donkey family, describing sitting with the donkeys in the evenings as “quality time for all”.

Tony said: “If the opportunity ever presents itself to become a Donkey Guardian, then don’t hesitate – donkeys are the most adorable of animals. They’re very intelligent animals with their very own characters.”