The PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary

Charlie miniature donkey was welcomed to PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary along with 3 other miniatures called Amelia Bedelia, Rosie and Tiana. A group of donkeys is called a pace and these four are always together. They share a stall together in the barn at night. You may wonder why Charlie looks like he is greying but it is barn paint! This past Sunday was the huge annual fundraising event at the sanctuary called Daisies for Donkeys. Before this event the barn gets painted and clearly Charlie was ...

Donkeys communicate in other ways then braying and most are quite subtle. When a donkey is unsure or afraid they tend to freeze to analyze the situation to see if it is safe for them. This can look like stubbornness but it is not. Another way of showing uncertainty is pursed lips and the upper lip jutting over the bottom lip. Pleasure and happiness is shown by quivering lips such as from a good scratch. A donkey hug feels like they are leaning against you when getting a good scratch or groomi...

When giving tours many visitors ask what it means when a donkey brays. As we get closer to 4pm at the sanctuary the braying becomes more frequent as Sheila should be in the barn kitchen with the kettle boiling preparing evening feed so those brays mean “don’t forget to feed me I am hungry”. But there other occasions the donkeys bray such as when the water buckets are low or if the hay is low in their paddock or perhapsif the hay is inferior quality as in “I can’t...

Donkey are extremely loyal animals, as well as being affectionate and intelligent! While they love their humans donkeys need at least one animal to befriend preferably another donkey or equine such as a mule, hinny or horse. Donkeys have been known to develop relationships with pigs (remember Jed and Penelopig, when Jed was rescued he refused to leave the shed until the hiding pig was rescued too!), but most of the rescued donkeys at the sanctuary have come with another equine. Donkeys will p...

Donkeys come in three sizes. On the left is Jack who is a standard. Beside Jack is Aggie who is a mammoth donkey. The little brown one is Sara miniature donkey. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding personality and size, the mammoths seem to be gentle giants.

Donkeys are also very loyal. Jack and Sara came to the sanctuary together and are always in close proximity to each other. Sara is a bit more social then Jack as some minis are, but Finegan (not in the photo)...

This annual fundraising event held at the sanctuary was a huge success this year. People came to learn about the animals, sing carols, buy calendars and cards and eat delicious cookies all prepared by volunteers. The generosity this year was overwhelming and is used to care for all the wonderful animals at the farm. It warms my heart to hear there are so many who care about unwanted donkeys. Those of us who volunteer know how interesting, loyal and curious donkeys are: they are wonderful anim...

This is Marble an elderly donkey at the sanctuary. Marble has few teeth left which is how a donkey’s age is determined but it is thought Marble is well into his forties. Marble enjoys the company of Sheyore and the visitors. Feeding time is another favourite as it is near impossible to get nutrition from hay without the ability to chew so Marble gets a large bowl of mush ( horse pellets and water) for meals.

Marble has springhalt which means the very high lifting of the hind hoov...

Tommy was a mammoth donkey who was 22 years old. He was such a sweet gentle boy. It seems mammoth donkeys are the gentle giants of the donkey world. Did he love the Jennets (female donkeys) at the sanctuary! Tommy had severe arthritis in his front knees that initially made it difficult for him to walk. Sheila got this under control with medication and Tommy began to roam. It seemed he would be at one end of the farm then suddenly at the other end checking out the girls! A particular favourite...

Virgil was a mule (donkey for father, horse for a mother). It is possible the mother was a Shetland pony as Virgil had white socks. Virgil has passed away but there are many memories about him as he had quite a personality. Six years ago Virgil was with the other mules and hinny: Austin, Wilson and Gordon. They were not always kind to Virgil so he was moved in with the other donkeys and mules. Virgil could clear the hay bale with a look so he was first in line but slowly he began to share. H...

Mocha is a beautiful cat who was at the sanctuary too briefly. Sheila found Mocha in the house under a couch and not moving except for her eyes which were very fearful. Mocha was paralyzed. Sheila held Mocha until she passed away and thought she had a stroke. I looked up cat strokes and found very little research has been done on this. There is some thought that cats have similar strokes to humans: hemorrhagic where a blood vessel bursts or ischemic where there is a clot. Sad...