The PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary

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...

This is Aggie mammoth donkey and Finigan small standard (or large miniature) donkey, her “adopted” son. Aggie, Saffron, Braylee and Finigan who are a pace (group of donkeys) were at the sanctuary a few years ago until going to a foster farm, have now returned. Aggie is a friendly, curious gentle donkey who loves being groomed and pet and also loves Finigan. She treats Finigan like her son: they are often close to each other and Finigan easily walks under Aggie’s head. Howe...

This is Sadie donkey she came to the sanctuary this past winter with Patrick Belgian horse. Sadie and Patrick were working animals used to haul logs from the forest. They both had their hooves trimmed improperly, before coming to PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary. Patrick was 400 pounds underweight and passed away. Sadie is at the sanctuary enjoying the extra care and peacefulness there. Here she is eyeing a cat in the hay!

Vivian

Sara Rose and her daughter Lily are in the barn for Sara’s dinner. Sara is the oldest donkey at the sanctuary at 47 years old. Sara’s teeth have worn down due to her age and she gets a bowl of equine pellets to boost her nutrition. Sara was quite old to have a foal at 41 years old. As jennies (female donkeys) continue to go into heat their entire lives it is up to the owner to control reproduction. Lily is now 6 years old, always with her mother and quite a favourite at the sanc...

There are many trees, plants and vegetables that are poisonous fordonkeys. Here are a few of the more common plants. A very thorough list can be found at donkeytime.org the article is called Safe Plants for Donkeys. Poisonous plants include nightshade, buttercup, columbine, foxglove, hellebore, ivy, lily of the valley, monkshood,and ragwort. Poisonous trees include yew, black walnut, peach, plum, oak, red maple and buckthorn. Poisonous vegetables include cabbage, kale and turnip.It is import...

Donkey hooves are constantly growing just like human finger nails. The trimming needs to be done every 8-10 weeks. If they are not trimmed by a qualified Farrier they continue to grow until the animal goes lame. North American donkeys originated in Africa where the ground is rockier naturally wearing down the hooves. The soft pastures most donkeys are kept in here do not wear down the hooves at all. One of the first signs of Donkey neglect is long hooves and limping, eventually the hooves wil...