They have served human beings around the world for hundreds of years, in wars and sports, on the farm, as companions, and as a major component of families’ income.
However, the efforts of a donkey often go unnoticed, hence the nickname “the forgotten equine,” says Lesley Bayne. “Horses are majestic, zebras are exotic, but donkeys are often the butt of a joke, the beast of burden, or completely forgotten altogether.”
“Donkeys don’t stand out, or ‘glow’ in any measurable physical way, compared to other animals,” he says. Janine Holman. “They are misunderstood, highly maligned, often taken for granted and not respected as a species.”
A quiet place on the outskirts of Guelph, with rolling landscapes, diverse habitats and low-key inhabitants, aims to change that. Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC), where Bayne is CEO, is a 200-acre working farm, consisting of the original 100 acres that founder Sandra Pady and her husband, David, purchased in the 1980s, plus 100 additional acres. which the non-profit organization bought in 2016. It is home to 100 donkeys, who spend their days sunbathing, playing, and enjoying walks and grooming times with volunteers.
It’s a great life and it’s well deserved. “In poorer countries … they function like the equivalent of our family van that we use in our modern cities,” says Holman, a visitor-turned-volunteer. “The villagers could not survive without their donkey to carry the goods to market or bring drinking water home.” This kind of rudimentary work, he adds, contributes to the perception that donkeys are worth less.
“Unfortunately, they seemed to have pulled the short stick in the animal kingdom,” says Holman, adding, “countless people are overworked and undernourished and live lives of work and misery (and they are), often dismissed when perceived like it’s no longer useful. “
For 29 years, the DSC has taken in more than 350 donkeys, often from seizures from SPCAs or from farms where they had been abandoned. “I could go on and on about the different situations that donkeys have come to us,” says Bayne. “We are always at our best.”
Foster farms, where knowledgeable people care for the donkeys, free up space for the sanctuary to handle more urgent cases, but if something happens to the servant or his farm, the donkey can return to DSC, Bayne says. “We are a true sanctuary in the sense that the animals will belong to us for the rest of their lives.” With proper care and a dash of good genes, a donkey can live an average of 30 years.
Native to the dry deserts of Africa, where resources are scarce, donkeys are intelligent and analytical. “(They) will assess a situation before taking action if it seems risky,” says Bayne, about a trait many people mistake for stubbornness. They are also stoic and curious, have a peaceful and calm demeanor and are naturally friendly with people, says Holman, who adds: “They also form strong friendships and bonds with each other, and are saddened when a close partner passes away.”
The misconception that donkeys are stronger and more resilient than other animals can lead to serious injuries. “A grown man riding a miniature donkey is too heavy,” says Bayne. “You will see some of our donkeys ‘back rocking’, where their backs bobs down like a U. Many of these animals end up needing pain relievers for the rest of their lives, (which) have been shortened due to heavy work.”
To correct misinformation, the sanctuary also has a multi-pronged educational program: off-site services targeting the equine industry and donkey owners; a partnership with the University of Guelph to teach agricultural and animal science students about the species; and visiting hours for the public. “Most people don’t have the opportunity to meet or learn about donkeys in the same way that they would with horses, cows, cats, dogs, etc.,” says Bayne.
Although the sanctuary focuses on the immediate needs of donkeys and increases their ability to care for more animals, its long-term goal is to expand its breeding and education programs. “We are always thinking about the future of the sanctuary and how we can help more donkeys,” says Bayne. “I want to make sure that donkeys and their owners have a place to turn in difficult times.”
Reference-www.thestar.com