Posted online: Feb 18th, 2010

The sheer neglect and cruelty of donkeys in Donegal has prompted a local couple to set up a sanctuary.
Danny and Sandra Curran have seen numerous examples of donkeys that have been abandoned or who are suffering.
But they are now hoping to set up a committee to help to run the Donegal Donkey sanctuary at Castledooey, Raphoe – and to assist in important fundraising in order for it to operate.
During the Celtic Tiger, Danny notes that many people bought donkeys as pets, but demand for them has almost gone.
And they can be costly to keep, not least because they regularly need to have their feet clipped – and that costs around €60 a go every six to eight weeks. Indeed, it can easily cost €1,000 a year to keep a donkey.
Danny, who works with Letterkenny Pets, reckons he has taken in up to 25 donkeys. “We re-homed four before Christmas, and our now down to eight” he says, but looking after them is a big expense.
He pointed out that donkeys originally hail from Asia and their natural habitat is on hard ground which wears down their feet. But on soft Irish ground their hooves do not wear down and the hoof mechanism is often impaired. Many donkeys can end up suffering from curled up feet.
Donkeys have been found to be particularly useful for working with disabled riders and also autistic children.
A public meeting about the sanctuary will be held in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, on Monday at 8.00 pm. All welcome.