‘We spend Christmas with our fur families!’
‘The donkeys get extra treats ... apples and ginger biscuits’
Sara Blair-Salter, 39, Payhembury, Devon
Securing a job at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth during my gap year, I never wanted to leave. But thankfully, after university – where I studied animal welfare and behavioural science – I took up a permanent role at the sanctuary 10 years ago.
The donkeys are incredible characters – loving, curious and sweet. If I’m ever having a bad day, 10 minutes with them puts me right back on track!
I’m now new arrivals manager, which means I oversee the care of several hundred donkeys. There are a further 7,000 donkeys at 12 Donkey Sanctuary farm locations across the UK and Europe. Donkeys can come to us from loving homes, if someone’s circumstances have changed. But others are rescued from neglect and mistreatment.
Last Christmas, Sam arrived like a whirlwind and took over the festive period for us all. He’d been orphaned at birth after his mother suffered complications during labour.
Sam was given 24-hour care during his early weeks.
Even at 3am on 25 and 26 December, we arrived to bottle-feed him and make sure he was happy. He needed feeding every three hours but seeing his little face was worth the sleepless nights. I was so proud of what the team did to help him pull through. We matched him with Soozee, a maternal mare who treated him like her own. She taught him how to be a donkey and, in the new year, Sam grew confident, comfortable – and fluffy!
I love being around the donkeys every day and Christmas is no exception. We’re here to take the donkeys from frightened to fabulous and that often requires round-the-clock commitment. Christmas Day is just another day giving our all to the donkeys, but we make it special. We wear Christmas jumpers and bring in extra apples, carrots and ginger biscuits for the donkeys. They deserve an extra treat at Christmas.
This December will be an easier one for Sam, but new rescues arrive all the time. I’ll be on call throughout the night and if a donkey is sick I’ll be there. They’re such special animals and their welcoming bray is the best Christmas carol I’ll ever hear.
To support the sanctuary, visit thedonkeysanctuary. org.uk
Christmas isn’t just for humans – there are thousands of animals who still need caring for whatever day of the year it is. Here, we talk to three women who put their fur families first on 25 December...