Donkeys thrive in our care after major rescue operation

Surrey Police executed a warrant at a farm in Ripley, Surrey on 9 January 2019 as part of an RSPCA-led investigation into concerns for the welfare of animals at the location.

The Donkey Sanctuary, Guildford Borough Council, Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, Bransby Horses, Redwings, The Horse Trust, World Horse Welfare, Dogs Trust and a number of vets assisted on the day. Rescuers discovered donkeys, horses, dogs and farm animals living in poor conditions.

The donkeys were living in squalid conditions alongside around 50 horses and ponies. Crammed into small and dirty pens inside a barn, several of the donkeys were extremely underweight and some had hair loss from rubbing their coats.

They were nervous and distrustful of people and some of them had severely overgrown hooves, contributing to their suffering. They were standing on top of 2-3 feet of waste and faeces, which had gathered over many months inside their barn.

The donkeys’ owner has been disqualified from keeping animals for life after being convicted of 15 offences and given a suspended sentence after more than 200 animals were removed from the Surrey farm.

A second person was jailed in October 2021 for causing unnecessary suffering to two horses and one goat, and failing to meet the needs of 171 animals including 131 horses, 33 dogs, two alpacas and five birds.

After the rescue operation and veterinary assessment, two of the donkeys were taken to Liphook Equine Hospital for further checks and x-rays. The other six went to The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire where vets routinely monitored their health.

The group of eight came together again at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth where they settled in well and one of the mares gave birth to a foal. With one-to-one care from our grooms to help build trust the donkeys flourished.

Sadly, in April 2022, it was discovered that one of the group, a donkey called Poppy, had a number of health issues; following a quality of life assessment it was decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put her to sleep.

Today the remaining donkeys are comfortable with vet checks and farrier visits, and enjoy grooming and affection from the charity’s team of volunteers. One pair from the group, Max and Lady, is doing so well that the charity hopes to be able to rehome the duo in a Donkey Guardian home in the near future.

Jaime Down, Farm Supervisor at The Donkey Sanctuary, says: “Two particular donkeys in the group were very nervous when they arrived. But by working through a specific shaping plan to improve on their behaviour and grow their confidence, they have come on so well and have really blossomed.

“These donkeys have been transformed from nervous, shy donkeys to inquisitive, friendly characters who are living life to the fullest.”

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “Working on the front line of donkey welfare, our teams are often exposed to situations where donkeys are in desperate need of our help. Cases like this are never easy but the scale of suffering and the numbers of animals in this case was particularly distressing.

“I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of sadness that I felt walking into that barn and seeing the condition of the donkeys and other animals. It was a huge challenge, but everyone worked together brilliantly in difficult conditions.

“Thanks to the amazing care of our teams, the donkeys are enjoying healthy and enriched lives. Knowing they will never experience such suffering again and will remain safe in the care of The Donkey Sanctuary is the best outcome.”