The PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary

The sanctuary is always looking for fundraising ideas and yesterday Francesca from Karma Lifestyle held the second annual Yoga With the Donkeys. The donkeys cooperated nicely braying at regular intervals. Francesca led us through many poses such as butterfly, porpoise, eagle, downward dog and donkey kicks. There are also many rescued cats at the sanctuary and a few were fascinated by my yoga mat rolling and playing and attempting to unsuccessfully sharpen their claws which caused many holes t...

Jessie mule was on a horse farm before coming to the sanctuary and has been here for a few years. She is wonderful gentle mule who can sometimes act a bit like a diva: demanding attention and flattening her ears at the donkeys. Most donkeys realize the flat ears don’t mean muchand don’t get too worried about it! Jessie has also been adopted as a nursemaid by a couple of other hinnies rescued at the sanctuary. The latest is Carlos. Carlos comes from a very abusive situation and is...

Last year a very successful yoga session was held at the sanctuary to help raise funds to care for the donkey,hinnies, mules, goats, sheep, pigs and cats. This year the yoga session will be held on June 2nd from 11:30-12:30. Bring your mat and come out for a great class lead by Francesca. Water will be available. In honour of downward donkey here is Rosie showing how flexible she is.

Vivian

North American donkeys are all descendants of the African Wild Ass. There are 2 subspecies: the Nubian Wild Ass and the Somali Wild Ass. The Nubian Asses are extinct. The Somali Asses are critically endangered. A few are found in zoos around the world and in small numbers in countries in Africa such as Eritrea and Ethiopia. I like to explain this ancestry in the tours I give (Sundays from 1-4pm). The proof is shown here on Oliver’s leg: there are remnants of the stripe that is very noti...

The sanctuary had another very successful annual event. Donkey related crafts and daisies were sold to raise money for Donkey care, feed, barn, fence and shelter repairs.

These are the daisies graciously supplied to us by Quinn's Blooms & Greenery. They sold that went very quickly.

There were also baked goods, lemonade, Coffee and apple...

This is Sadie a miniature donkey who was recently welcomed to PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary. Her equine friend at the farm she came from passed away and it was felt that other donkey companionship might be good for her at the sanctuary. She is still finding her way and seems despondent at times.

Donkeys are very loyal animals and when they lose a beloved company it is important the donkey is allowed to sniff their companion after they have passed away. If the donkey does not have this closu...

Sheila is always looking for volunteers at the sanctuary. In particular need right now is Saturday mucking out, please email Sheila if you can help. There are many different volunteer opportunities at the farm. Mucking out, giving tours on Thursdays and Sundays, grooming, helping during feeding time and replenishing water are frequent duties. There are volunteers who bake,paint, crochet or take photos of the donkeys. Onevent days there are volunteers who make coffee/tea or help with set up an...

It is interesting to observe the donkeys and mules; their personalities and behaviour are quite different. This series of equine photos also demonstrates their personalities. This is Austin, he is a mule having a donkey for a father and a horse for a mother. He looks positively regal in this picture. Austin is cautious with strangers and prefers not to be pet which can seem standoffish. After he lost his good friend Sheema he did enjoy neck scratches. When good friends Wilson and Gordon get f...

Donkeys roll in the dirt for different reasons and during different seasons. It is interesting to watch. In the early spring donkeys roll to fluff their coats which helps with insulation when nights are still cold. In late spring donkeys roll to help with shedding of their winter coat. In summer donkeys roll in dust and mud to keep the flies at bay. Donkeys will also roll if there is any itchy spot on their coats as the mud can be soothing. Often donkeys will prepare a spot to roll by pawing ...