Our policies
Il Rifugio degli Asinelli, by statute and politics, is always adverse to buying animals and the situations where money is requested for an animal that will “otherwise be slaughtered” are no exception. Emotionality plays a key role in these situations. They are often planned to promote a sense of guilt and pity towards the animals’ life.
Unfortunately, despite all good intentions, the purchase of an animal in this situation always favours the market and the immoral traders who have learned how to take advantage of people’s sensitivity to profit from putting animals’ lives at risk.
The reality in the slaughterhouses
The killing of donkeys, horses and other animals for food purposes is a reality in slaughterhouses and the equine meat products found in supermarkets are further proof of this. Our country, one of the largest consumers in the world, imports 43% of all the horse meat produced in Europe. Imagine the number of lives behind the percentage. In 2012 alone, 60,000 horses were legally slaughtered in Italy and it is estimated that about 5000 are bred for meat in our country.
Among them there are also many foals that are born for the sole purpose of encouraging mares to produce milk. When the foals turn nine months and, consequently, are no longer useful to encourage lactation, there are only two possible scenarios for them - to be used for the production of milk themselves, if they are females, or to be slaughtered, if they are males.
The Italian Law
The Italian law allows horse slaughtering and this included foals which are at least 7 days old. Foals are sold to the slaughterhouses for a few euros per kilo. It goes without saying that for the breeder it is much more profitable to sell a foal to good-hearted people for €300 or €400 and reinvest that money into the breeding of more foals, where they are certain to gain money within a year.
It is a continuous vicious circle. The purchase of a foal creates an incentive for more reproduction and the reproduction increases the number of animals that will end up in the slaughterhouse.
Slaughter is never the only solution
Slaughter is never the only solution. There are many people who contact us because they can no longer look after their animal, due to economic constraints or for having underestimated the real needs of a donkey. We always give our total availability (in terms of resources, time, “face” and everything in our power) to help those looking for a new home for their donkeys.
Over the years, through the “direct re-homing”, we have found homes for dozens of donkeys, all of them today live in controlled and reliable accommodations. It is not an immediate solution, it can often take months, but it shows that bloodless solutions are available and we are here to help people interested in the welfare of their animal, and not the profit they can make.
These are the facts: what can we all do to make a difference?
We strongly reiterate what we wrote years ago: the strongest power we have is that of consumers and buyers. Our ethical choices can change the lives of animals, people and, hopefully, the future.
We do not finance the market, by buying meat or buying animals. We are not playing the game of those who mask the act of mercy. We avoid events and fairs where they serve donkey meat and we make our voices heard with politeness and firmness. We raise awareness among our contacts by setting an example.
Reports of abused or distressed donkeys
To report ill-treatment, abuse or donkeys in difficulty, we kindly ask you to read the information on our website, and to contact us by phone at (+39) 015 255 18 31.
We remind you that, in case of mistreatment or neglect, it is essential to immediately contact the authorities (which are, by law, required to intervene). Sharing on social media does not help nor represents an official form of reporting in itself. Find out more in our position statement.