About Us
ABOUT US
Donegal Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 2010 by Sandra & Danny Curran. It is a family run sanctuary in the peaceful and tranquil countryside of Castledooey, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland (F93 R7P2). The sanctuary began as a result of the Curran’s taking in a donkey who had been found tied to a scrapped car in an area of bog land and left to die. The family were so moved by this poor animals predicament that they brought him to their farm to live with the three donkeys that they already owned. Over the course of the next year they began to hear of more and more neglected and abandoned donkeys in their locality. As numbers steadily grew the Curran’s realised that there was a dire need for sanctuary for these gentle creatures and Donegal Donkey Sanctuary was born.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide a loving, safe and permanent home for donkeys who are neglected or abused, or through no fault of their own, cannot be properly cared for in their present circumstances.
WHY DONKEYS?
Donkeys are incredibly loving, gentle and loyal creatures. They are stoic by nature and often put up with the most diabolical treatment without striking out or complaint. They will also hide illness until the point of collapse. Their sweet and gentle nature gives them mass appeal as a family pet but sometimes well meaning individuals underestimate their care needs and the long term commitment that they are entering into as donkeys can live up to fifty years.
Unfortunately, sometimes irresponsible owners merely stop giving or fail to recognise the need for proper care and the donkey suffers greatly until it is rescued or sadly perishes.
Many donkeys who enter our care have been abandoned or abused and arrive broken in body and spirit. With time and loving care they can return to full health and regain a joy for life.
In other circumstances a donkey owner can sometimes be faced with the prospect of handing over their much loved friend due to old age, health related issues or financial distress. While this is a very hard decision for any owner to make it is certainly the best option for their much loved old friend as the sanctuary is best placed to find a new ‘forever home’ for their donkey or donkeys. In these circumstances we always endeavour to put both homes in contact with one another so that a link can be maintained and visits to the new home can be organised. So it is never goodbye ..
Regardless of how these beautiful creatures arrive in our care we are committed to reaching out to the weak, hungry and vulnerable and giving them a second chance at life.