Donegal Donkey Sanctuary needs your help or it will have to close its doors

Raphoe-based Donegal Donkey Sanctuary is calling on the public to help them raise funds to keep their doors open. The sanctuary is run by Danny and Sandra Curran and has rehomed over 600 hundred donkeys in the 11 years it has been operating. Danny spoke to Derry Now and explained why the sanctuary is seeking the public’s help. He explained that: “We had an investor in England that has been sending us money over the years to help but due to financial reasons he has had to stop. So we decided to set up a Go Fund Me page in order to keep the shelter going.” Danny said that without more income the centre would have to close its doors but made clear that the donkeys that are currently in the shelter will not be euthanized. He said: “It is not in our policy to put down any donkey. Our sole purpose is to rescue, give them the help they need and then rehome them. If it comes down to it we will have to cut down on welfare of the donkeys currently at the sanctuary and we will also have to cut down on intake.” The cost of running the shelter is high and Danny explained that after the initial money is spent on the donkey’s welfare and intake that there is not a lot left in the budget for everyday essential equipment. He said: “All we want for the time being is to make sure we don’t have to close our doors. Equipment is also needed for running the shelter in terms of a new 4x4 and tractor. We are currently using a tractor that is about 40 years old and our jeep has around a quarter of a million miles drove but for now we would be more than happy to reach our target of €25,000 so we can keep our doors open. Since the page has gone up we have received €10,000 which is great.” Danny added: “My wife and I do this out of love for the animals. It’s not about money for us and there has been nothing harder than having to sit down with a committee and accept that we have been running head first at a brick wall in terms of finances. “We just want to be able to help more of these animals. We volunteer our time and don’t get a wage but we get something better and that is seeing the donkeys get rehomed and go on to live a better life.” To donate to the Donkey Sanctuary go to: https://www.gofundme.com/donegal-donkey-sanctuary-sos