Seizure in Alessandria, updates on 31/1

Yesterday, after a 3 hour trip, we brought to our Rifugio seven of the 48 donkeys under seizure in Alessandria: 2 have already left to reach Nata Libera shelter, while 5 - the ones in worst conditions - will remain at our sanctuary,

About the new arrivals

These five donkeys urgently need proper cares and were at risk of not being chosen by any caretakers (expecially the big-sized stallions).

Zara (born in 2010) and Moro (2018) were the first who caught our attention during our first visit to the farm where seized donkeys were
temporarily accommodated. It was impossible to remain indifferent to that pair of donkeys isolated from others. In precarious health conditions, with shaggy hair (which covered a skeletal body), frightened and however intent to protect each other. It is assumed that they are mother and child. In addition to various disorders that will be analyzed and treated by our vet, Zara has horrible hooves which make it difficult to walk.

Minto (2013) is a giant light gray donkey. It was him to choose us: curious, sociable and friendly (his character reminded us immediately that of Ardito), he arrived here because, unfortunately, no one wanted to be the caretaker of an XL sizes stallion . With him came his friend Silvio (2012), suspicious and fearful: always close to Minto, with whom he shares the giant size, he has respiratory diseases that will require special attention (and deformed hooves as well).

Last but not least, Bruno: a tiny donkey with teary eyes, a stringy hair with patches and respiratory diseases, we could not exempt ourselves from carrying him with us (even if, initially, we could have accommodated four donkeys instead of five). When we read the microchip it seemed impossible that he was only two and a half years old (2016): life has not been kind to him so far, and it has hardly hit his body. His hooves are in very bad conditions.

First steps at our Sanctuary

Vet checks

Today our vet made a first visit to the donkeys, who are in the Isolation area. In addition to the most urgent treatments (therapies for respiratory problems and eys and nose discharge), the first anti-lice treatment was performed, which will be repeated within two weeks. Next Monday further investigations and X-rate plates will be made to verify the real conditions of the hooves - obviously our hope is that these are superficial deformations, which can be resolved with a series of targeted trimming.

Their diet has also also carefully been planned: donkeys were seized in extreme wasting conditions and, during the first seizure period, high-calorie foods were gaveto make them gain weight quickly - unfortunately, despite good intentions this can cause damage and inflammation. Now, for them, there is much, high-quality hay - the ideal food for donkeys - and a few blades of grass in the meadow.

Monday, after the next vet visit, we will update the medical bulletin.

How you can help

The entry of five new donkeys, in poor health conditions, is challenging for our Rifugio, starting from the trip (only to get the seven donkeys to Sala Biellese we had to rent a truck, for an expense slightly less than € 800), but we could not avoid this emergency.

We need your help now: if you can, please make a donation so that we can gave them - and the other 120 donkeys living at our sanctuary - the best care and life. Please write "Alessandria" in the subject, so we can keep track of them.

More caretakers needed

There are still 9 donkeys looking for caretakers, 3 females and 6 stallions, the most difficult to "marry" and, therefore, at greater risk. If you live in Piedmont or Liguria, you have the facilities and the means (including transport) to accommodate them, please call us at 015.2551831: we have already saved 39 donkeys, but we will not be quiet until we know that even the latter have reached the new house.