It won't surprise you to hear that the cost of living crisis is compounding all our usual seasonal problems. Animal welfare charities across the board have been very vocal in the last few weeks, and we’re all saying the same thing: when we suffer, animals suffer.
 
What is our donkey data telling us? Well, ‘dependency’ and ‘scarcity’ are big themes at the moment:

• More people are relying on our services - repeat call-outs in the community were up by 26% at the end of October - well before our peak winter period.
• Our rehoming rate has fallen by 33% due to a lack of viable homes for donkeys.
• We are managing a big wave of donkeys returning from guardian homes. Making space is a constant logistical challenge - we’re responsible for over 1700 donkeys and mules, all of them living pieces of a puzzle, with individual needs.

 For a small, developed country, Ireland has a disproportionately big problem with equine welfare. We’re the biggest equine charity in the country, and we’re doing our very best, but sadly we can't find a happy ending for every donkey we find abandoned, neglected, or abused.

Winter in Ireland is cosy, beautiful, and full of life. But, for our teams, it also means gruelling farm shifts and a surge in rescue operations across remote, unforgiving terrains. It's work that requires immense mental and physical resilience. Our teams’ dedication, even in freezing, wet conditions - not to mention their endless capacity for The Craic - is truly inspiring.
 
If you’re considering donating to an animal welfare charity this Christmas, THANK YOU. We know it’s a big ask when so many causes are crying out for support.
 
If you’d like to help donkeys in Ireland, I’d be delighted to chew your ear off (metaphorically, of course; the donkeys will have a go at that, literally, if you fancy visiting us).

Visit: www.DonkeySanctuary.ie