Hello
We have had to start a fundraiser, we have just extended the stable yard at a cost of £6100.
Due to the number of donkeys that arrive here especially in the autumn and winter we needed a larger stable yard, but we urgently need more stabling
The donkeys arriving are in conditions that no animal should be in, no animal should suffer in the way these donkeys have suffered
Yet despite the cruelty they have gone through they are loving and very forgiving, they give so many people young and old so much pleasure.
Please clink on the link below for Cumbria Crack news, they posted a great article with videos a week ago
Please see TripAdvisor and read the pleasure they give to everyone.
Now we need help, which is so vital to keep going, we need more stabling to enable us to keep taking in donkeys, to keep giving them a life they deserve
Below is just one of many vets reports, this is Rose who has been here three weeks. This donkey is not only skin and bone but also crippled with pain in her feet, extra stabling will help us give a donkey somewhere safe and warm with deep bedding and the extra food they need, on their own to eat without others trying to "help"
Like all animal rescues we also need to keep fundraising for vet, farrier and feed bills.
Without the public's support we can't do our job, we need your help please
Letter below is from our vet, this is just one letter of many.
Also below is a link to ITVX Border news when they came here and ran a feature on us 5th September 2025
FRAME & SWIFT
THE VETERINARY CENTRE
Rose
Rose came to Barnhill Donkeys Retreat in August 2025 and Linda called us out to give her a
check up.
She was markedly underweight with a body condition score of 2/9 (normal is 5/9) but she had
been eating well since her arrival at Barnhills.
She had overgrown feet with severe white line separation and mild thrush infection which
was treated with antibiotic spray. She also had completely collapsed frogs which can
accompany severe cases of white line separation. The farrier was due to see her the following
week to start corrective trimming.
She also had ringworm lesions over her face and neck which required treatment with
imaverol bathing. Ringworm usually only affects the old, young, or poorly donkey.
She also had a snotty discharge from her nose which was likely a flare up of a respiratory
bacteria called Streptococcus Zooepidemicus. She was given a week of antibiotics in her feed
to treat this.
She was likely made more susceptible to these infections due to stress and her poor condition.
With extra TLC and good farriery, I hope she should make a full recovery. We wish Rose all
the best.
Abi Wolfe MA VetMB CertAVP (VDI) MRCVS
The Veterinary Centre, Carleton, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 8TZ
Tel: 01768 862454 Email: [email redacted].uk
Frame & Swift Limited Registered in England and Wales Number 15020499
Please see our TripAdvisor page
Organizer
Linda Gilbert
Organizer
England