Mother love is a first for sanctuary
ADORABLE DONKEY IS FIRST EVER BORN AT SANCTUARY
WHAT do you call a foal when you already have donkeys called Rhubarb and Crumble? Custard, of course. The adorable baby donkey was born at Bryson’s Animal Shelter in Gateshead on Monday.
He is believed to be the first donkey ever born at the charity sanctuary, which mainly cares for cats, dogs and other small animals.
Custard joins his mum, Crumble and fellow donkey Rhubarb at the shelter in the appropriatelynamed Galloping Green Road.
Rhubarb and Crumble came to Bryson’s in December, having been taken from their previous owner due to welfare concerns. Nine months on, the pair are healthy, and Crumble has had a baby foal.
Bryson’s, which its late founder Bill started 70 years ago, has a donkey-keeping tradition.
“We had a mule,” said shelter manager Tracy Holmes. “Mr Bryson always believed it was good luck to have a donkey or mule, but the mule died a couple of years ago. After that we thought if we heard of a donkey or mule in need we’d take it on.”
The British Horse Society contacted Bryson’s, saying Rhubarb and Crumble needed new homes.
“We said, ‘yes, we’d be happy to take the two of them.’ When they came they were in very poor condition, very thin,” Tracy said.
The pair’s health was so bad they suffered renal problems due to malnourishment. But in the hands of the Bryson’s team, they prospered.
After a few months, it was apparent Crumble was pregnant. Rhubarb is also a female, or ‘jenny,’ so Custard must have been conceived before they were moved to Bryson’s. On Monday, Lisa Norris, who works with horses at the centre, discovered baby Custard.
Without the care Bryson’s gave to Crumble, it’s highly likely Custard would not be alive today.
“She was very malnourished, said Tracy. “We got her at just the right time. Got her fed up, wormed and she’s just gone from strength to strength.”