Donkeys find peace at Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary
The animal loving couple adopted their first three donkeys, Herbie, Eli and Simon from the SPCA in Benoni.
It was in 2016 when Lloreen and her husband Albert le Roux witnessed the abuse some donkeys were suffering.
As an animal lover seeing this really upset Lloreen, and she told Albert that one day they will have a sanctuary for abused donkeys where they can retire, and just live and breathe.
The animal-loving couple adopted their first three donkeys, Herbie, Eli and Simon from the SPCA in Benoni.
Herbie was one of the more than 400 horses and donkeys that were auctioned off at the Hartswater Auction on 25 January 2017. Eight of the rescued donkeys went to the SPCA in Benoni to find new forever homes.
“On 15 December 2017 we loaded Herbie, Simon and Eli into a rented horse trailer and have not looked back since; we are currently the forever retirement home to 92 donkeys,” said Lloreen.
Rest ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary has 48 donkeys in Johannesburg, and three at their new sanctuary in Bethlehem.
“On 6 July 2020, due to the drought in the Karoo, we also became home to 41 of The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary’s donkey jacks, which were also rescued from Hartswater, along with 224 other donkeys and horses.
“Our donkey jacks are all castrated as we do not breed, but we were overly excited to welcome our very first donkey foal, which was born on 11 February 2020 – our little princess Hayley’s mom Crystal arrived here pregnant in December 2019,” explained Lloreen.
According to Lloreen and Albert, the donkeys are thoroughly spoilt as each donkey gets a bowl of food twice a day.
Diatomaceous earth is added in their food, as well as rolling compound for internal and external parasite control, straw for bedding in their stables, winter blankets, proper vet, dental and farrier care, salt lick and dewormer.
“We have a virtual adoption programme at R150 a month, to assist in funding the care of the donkeys.
“They are highly intelligent creatures, capable of independent thinking and decision making; quite simply, donkeys are amazing.
“No money can buy the feeling we get from caring for these sentient beings, and there is no greater honour than to be able to love them and being loved back by them,” said Lloreen.
In support of the donkeys and to end off a difficult year for most people with a smile, the sanctuary hosted their very first Christmas Market and Carols by Candlelight on 5 December at Zonnehoeve AH in Ruimsig.
There were fabulous food stalls, as well as wonderful gifts to fill the Christmas stockings.
