Animal Welfare Palestine Project #64779

Appeal to Save the Donkeys of Gaza

by Animal Aid Abroad Inc

Project Report | Feb 13, 2026
A Second Chance at Life for Rescued Donkeys

By Renate Homburg | Project Leader

With help from your generous donations through GlobalGiving, our partner sanctuary in Israel – Starting Over – are preparing to send more rescued donkeys to Europe. Here, they will find their forever homes with caring new owners.

In their intensive-care unit called the Hope Compound, the team are currently providing care and veterinary treatment for 55 donkeys. Many rescued donkeys at the sanctuary have experienced abuse, neglect or trauma, so they often have high care needs.

During January, four donkeys entered the compound:

Two donkeys entered from the rehabilitated herd. They had developed a fungal skin infection and required treatment.

One jenny who is new to the sanctuary. She arrived really scared and also requires orthopaedic rehabilitation of her hooves via regular trimming.

The last jenny is elderly and entered via the sanctuary’s hospital. She was very underweight but, following significant improvement, she moved to the compound for monitoring and controlled feeding.

Recently, six donkeys also left the compound:

Two jennies who arrived at the sanctuary in October were scared and underweight. They underwent mental rehabilitation as well as dental procedures. Having reached a satisfactory weight, they have now progressed to the rehabilitated herd.

One young female orphan who did not adjust well in her previous herd needed a safe space in the compound for a while. However, following the arrival of a few other young females, she has now returned to her original herd.

A young orphaned donkey entered the compound several months ago to gain weight. He underwent dental treatment and special feeding. He has now gained weight and has returned to the donkey orphanage.

A jenny left following successful treatment for a skin infection and mental rehabilitation. She is in the late stages of her pregnancy and moved to the mothers-and-babies herd.

Finally, there was a sad farewell for a well-loved jenny who was around 30 years old. She passed away due to hepatic failure.

We are sending out heartfelt thanks to all of our valued GlobalGiving supporters and donors. Thank you for helping us to rescue more donkeys from dreadful situations and provide them with all the treatment, care, feed, attention and love they need to recover.

Together with Starting Over, you are giving these beautiful animals a second chance at life.

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Oct 16, 2025
Giving Rescued Donkeys the Chance to Start Over

By Renate Homburg | Project Leader

With help from your generous donations through GlobalGiving, Animal Aid Abroad (AAA) is continuing to rescue donkeys from Gaza - along with other donkeys in need - in partnership with Starting Over in Israel.

Last month, Starting Over flew 50 rescued donkeys to their forever homes in Europe. Following harsh lives, these lucky donkeys now have a second chance, and will have days filled with love, safety, treats and gentle care.

Thanks to your kind support, there are also 46 donkeys currently being treated in Starting Over’s intensive care unit known as the Hope Compound.

Recently, six donkeys entered the Hope Compound:

Four newly-rescued donkeys entered:

One jenny with severe damage to her hooves started in the hospital before moving to the compound to continue her orthopaedic rehabilitation.
Another jenny is elderly, blind in one eye, and in a poor condition overall. She needs a quiet, safe environment to dwell in.
The third donkey is very malnourished and scared of people. She entered the compound for both physical and mental rehabilitation. She arrived at the sanctuary accompanied by a friend who also entered the Hope Compound.

In addition, a young orphaned donkey who needs to get stronger and gain weight is being cared for in the compound.

A jenny with a chronic eye condition that developed into an acute infection also entered the compound for ongoing treatment.

Four donkeys also left the Hope Compound recently:

A jenny who was in the compound for a few months to gain weight and undergo dental treatments. She is elderly and has moved to the old donkeys' compound.
One jenny left following successful completion of eye treatment.
Two donkeys were moved into the rehabilitation herd because the team believe they will do well there. One of them has a disability due to an old fracture, while the other was being kept in the compound because she was very scared and timid.

Thank you for your fantastic donations through GlobalGiving, which allows us to provide essential funding to Starting Over’s sanctuary and ensure these donkeys receive the very best care to help them heal.

Your compassion for animals and unwavering support is changing the lives of so many donkeys for the better.

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Jun 23, 2025
58 Lucky Rescued Donkeys Find Their Forever Homes

By Renate Homburg | Project Leader

Thanks to your incredible gifts through GlobalGiving, Animal Aid Abroad’s partner sanctuary in Israel – Starting Over – were able to successfully transport 58 rescued donkeys to Europe during May. These lucky donkeys were sent to three sanctuaries in France, as well as to several private homes.

Starting Over have also been continuing to rescue more donkeys from conflict zones and situations involving neglect, mistreatment, abandonment or starvation. Currently, they are caring for 47 donkeys with assistance from your compassionate donations.

Please read on for the latest news on various donkeys living at Starting Over’s sanctuary:

Five donkeys entered the Hope Compound (intensive care unit) last month:

One jenny entered for treatment of an eyelid laceration.
One donkey entered for treatment and observation due to a skin sensitivity to insects, along with weight loss.
An older jenny who is awaiting dental care entered due to weight loss.
Another donkey needed to gain weight and entered the compound with his best friend, since the two are inseparable. They are both scheduled to fly to Europe on the next trip.

Nine donkeys left the Hope Compound recently:

Two jennies left after successful treatment for skin lesions.
A donkey and a jenny returned to their herd following completion of eye treatments.
Three jennies with hoof conditions were discharged after improving.
One jenny left following satisfactory weight gain.
The last jenny was discharged and re-joined the rehabilitated herd. She has a disability due to an old fracture in her pelvis. Now the ground in her new compound is dry and the herd there has more space. Due to these new conditions, the medical staff assessed that she would adjust well to her new area.

With your invaluable support through GlobalGiving, Starting Over can keep rescuing, treating and healing donkeys rescued from Gaza and other dire circumstances.

Thank you so much for helping to transform the lives of these vulnerable donkeys and for giving them a second chance!

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