Lily
Meet Lily the Donkey Lily arrived at Where Pigs Fly Farm
Sponsoring a rescue donkey for yourself, or sharing the joy by gifting a donkey adoption to a loved one, you are doing something amazing. Your sponsorship helps provide feed, shelter and treats for the rescue donkey team at Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary.
At Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary, we provide lifelong care for rescued donkeys who have suffered neglect, abuse or abandonment.
Donkeys are highly intelligent creatures, sociable and calm, capable of independent thinking and decision making. They form strong bonds with one another and with the people who care for them.
Naturally cautious, they take time to assess situations, which is often mistaken for stubbornness. In reality, this instinct helps keep them safe.
When given time, space and kindness, donkeys are affectionate, curious and calm companions.
Donkeys are, quite simply, amazing.
Donkeys typically live between 25 and 30 years, and with proper care many live well into their 40s.
Donkeys are members of the Equidae family, which also includes horses and zebras. They have been domesticated for over 5,000 years and have been a cornerstone in human existence and they still prop up entire communities today, ferrying water, food and crops.
Donkeys are smaller than horses and have a more robust build. Their coat is typically grey or brown, with a thick mane and a dark stripe that runs down their back and crosses at the shoulders.
Donkeys do not do well on their own at all, they flourish in the company of other donkeys and form close and very strong bonds with their donkey friends. Donkeys need to be with donkeys.
Donkeys have a natural inclination to protect which makes them great for guarding livestock.
Despite their reputation for stubbornness, donkeys are very intelligent, cautious animals with a strong sense of self-preservation.
We provide a haven for donkeys who have previously suffered from neglect, abuse or abandonment. Every donkey who finds their way to us is treated as an individual with their own unique needs and personality.
We believe in allowing our donkey residents to live as naturally as possible. They are given the freedom to roam our vast pastures, where they can graze, play, or simply bask in the sun. We also encourage socialisation with other donkeys, fostering a sense of community and companionship.
Understanding that donkeys are intelligent and sensitive creatures, we interact with them with patience, respect, and love.
More recently we’ve seen the horrific impact of the illegal and unsustainable donkey skin trade. Donkeys across the world are being stolen from families that rely on them, slaughtered, and skinned. All because the gelatine in their hide is a key ingredient in a traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao. With a growing middle class, demand for ejiao has sky-rocketed and now its big business.
Donkeys are intelligent, gentle, and hardworking animals that have played an important role in human history. They deserve respect and care, and when provided with a loving home and proper care, they can be loyal and affectionate companions. By supporting rescue organisations such as Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary and raising awareness of donkey welfare, you can help ensure these remarkable animals lead happy and healthy lives.
