Appeal to Save the Donkeys of Gaza

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.