The cost of donkey milk

On Sunday 7th February 2010 our welfare officer visited Montebaducco Farm in Salvarano di Quattro Castella. This was a follow up visit to the one we made in late 2008 when we asked the farm to improve conditions for over 600 donkeys that are bred and live there. Unfortunately for the donkeys conditions have not improved and we now want to put pressure on the owners of the farm to improve the welfare conditions for these animals from which they make money.

Investigating the donkey meat market

Donkey's eye

Did you know that thousands of tons of horse meat including donkeys are imported to Italy for human consumption every year? The meat is used in the production of Salami, Ravioli and many other dishes in Italy.

We have been investigating the transport of donkeys from Eastern European countries such as Romania into Italy and have proved that in the past donkeys have travelled for up to 40 hours in terrible conditions very often without adequate feed or water.

Training on riding therapy starts in Italy

Thanks to EST help and its trainers Robina Melling(Manchester) and Lauriel Harris(Sidmouth), Italian GM received first phase of training on donkey therapy. we agreed to start with 2 donkeys for donkey therapy and 2 for outreach work. I have easily selected 2 for outreach work that are Tudor and Costel. they both arrived in February 2008 from Romania. they were found abandoned together during the winter. Costel is 5 years old . he is a very friendly donkey, who loves to be cuddle and hugged.

Saved from Starvation by Forestale and IRDA

Poldo and Sylvia

On 29th January 2010, we rescued two donkeys that were confiscated by Corpo Forestale dello Stato della Valle d'Aosta,station of Valpelline.

Poldo and Silvia were found covered with lice and in very poor condition. Their hooves had not been trimmed and were painfully long and Silvia had problems just walking.

After the plight of the donkeys was discovered the court of Aosta confiscated them because their treatment was so bad. If the authorities had not intervened the donkeys would have died.

Help the Rifugio with an adoption for Valentines Day

Marisa and Daniella

Il Rifugio degli Asinelli is looking now for people to adopt one of their rescued donkeys for Valentines day. By doing this people would not only provide a great and original present for their loved ones but be helping the charity raise much needed funds.

The Foundation Il Rifugio degli Asinelli O.N.L.U.S., in order to be able to care for the 107 donkeys actually in its care and to be able to save more donkeys from lives of misery and neglect, only relies on private donations.

Proposed law banning equine slaughter

Transporting equines destined for slaughter

The legislative proposal put forward by Paola Frassinetti, vice president of the Italian government's Culture Committee in November 2009, is meeting with mixed results. The aim is to transfer horses, and equines in general, from the category of "productive livestock" to that of "domestic animals", such as cats and dogs, as stated by the State Secretary for Health with responsibility for animal welfare, Francesca Martini. Unfortunately, "the groundwork is not yet complete, so we need to start with the basics", according to Martini.

Donkey milk

Donkey breeding centre

In Italy donkey milk is used both as food and as a cosmetic ingredient because of its organoleptic properties which makes it particularly versatile.

There are many donkey breeding centres in Italy and unfortunately animal welfare tends to be sacrificed for the sake of profit. Having visited some of the centres, we found animals in terrible conditions, with the main problem being overgrown hooves.

We are now actively investigating animal welfare issues in breeding centres to raise awareness of animal welfare.

Donkey Races and 'Palios'

Palios donkeys

We are collecting information on the many kinds of donkey races which take place in Italy.

A few bits of news already:

There are more than 80 events, spread all over the country.

The events have little or no veterinary presence to check the health of the donkeys. In addition, the events are often linked to festivals or feasts in which donkey also features on the menu.

It is rare for the donkeys or jockeys to prepare for the races in any way.

Maria becomes a proud mother

Mother and foal's afternoon siesta!

Maria and her donkey friend, Jonny, had always lived together since being born, but unfortunately their owner wasn't able to look after them any longer and asked for our help.

On arrival from Valli di Lanzo (Lanzo Valley) in December 2008 both Maria and Jonny had severe problems with their hooves as well as being covered in parasites.

Luca

Lucca

Luca was found abandoned in Romania and was riddled with serious wounds and covered by parasites, but now lives with our group of geriatric donkeys. Luca has serious teeth problems because nobody had ever cared for him. His diet now consists of soft herbs dressed by carrots and apples which are chopped up by our staff in order to help him to chew.

Did you know?

We have 105 donkeys in our care.

Around 300 children visit from schools.

We now have 510 supporters.

Affiliation

Il Rifugio degli Asinelli O.N.L.U.S is affiliated with The Donkey Sanctuary based in the UK.