Israeli Sanctuary Gives Hope to Rescued Donkeys

Starting Over in Israel could not continue saving donkeys without your kind donations. They are currently providing shelter and care for 49 donkeys who were rescued from desperate situations.

Last month, eight donkeys reached a satisfactory point in their rehabilitation process and left the Hope Compound, which is the intensive care space for donkeys.

Two of these donkeys were young jennies who arrived at the sanctuary weak and undernourished. They left the compound after they reached their proper weight and have now joined Starting Over’s rehabilitated herd.

A jenny called Shandy left the compound after successful treatment for a leg wound that was causing her to limp. She is now residing in the enclosure for old donkeys.  

Lego - another donkey with a leg deformity - was allowed to join the rehabilitated herd because the veterinary team believe that, despite his limp, he is doing well enough to live there.

Two young donkeys who were rescued in 2024 arrived very weak and needed help to survive Israel’s winter. They received special feed and a heated enclosure until they gained more weight and their conditions improved.

One jenny stayed in the Hope Compound for observation during treatment for a respiratory infection. She has now been discharged and has joined her herd again.  

The last jenny to be released from the Hope Compound is old and has trouble seeing. However, following close observation, the veterinary staff think she will adjust to the old donkeys' compound, where she will continue to receive special feeding.

Although eight donkeys left the compound, another 10 arrived!

A donkey called Joya was rescued in February. She had hooves that had overgrown in an abnormal way because they were never trimmed. She is undergoing special hoof trimming every four weeks and silicon shoes are planned for the future.

Two sets of mothers and children entered the compound in March. In both cases, the mothers needed to gain weight. The team’s behavioural therapist is helping one jenny called Wilma become more comfortable around humans.

An old and weak jenny entered the Hope Compound recently because it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to remain living with her herd. She will be kept in for extra care and observation.

Three more jennies - two elderly and one young – were brought into the compound to gain some weight.

The last donkey to enter the compound requires lengthy treatment for corneal ulceration. He is undergoing an experimental treatment, which is quite intensive and requires the administration of eyedrops several times a day. 

Thank you so much for your generous support, which is allowing these special rescued donkeys to receive all the love, care and nurturing they very much deserve!