Donkeys rescued from overwork, abuse and neglect require specialist long-term sanctuary care. Understanding donkey-specific needs is essential for effective welfare provision.
Donkey sanctuary welfare requires species-specific knowledge that differs significantly from horse husbandry. The stoic masking of pain means that routine veterinary assessment using validated donkey-specific pain scales is essential — waiting for obvious signs means conditions are already advanced. Social management must account for strong pair bonds — separating bonded pairs for veterinary procedures requires careful planning to minimise stress. Nutritional management is critical given hyperlipemia risk; sanctuary donkeys should never be fasted without veterinary supervision. Dental care, hoof care and respiratory health monitoring complete the core welfare programme for this often-overlooked species.