A happier life for Linda and Lola

Linda and Lola first came to The Donkey Sanctuary back in 2021, when we were involved in Operation Dawn – our largest and most complex rescue to date.

The rescue effort, which was a collaborative effort between the police and multiple animal welfare organisations, culminated in the removal of more than 70 neglected equines from a site in Wales.

The animals were brought to The Donkey Sanctuary’s New Arrivals Unit, where some underwent many months of rehabilitation to learn to trust humans once again.

Linda and Lola arrived in filthy condition; their dull coats were caked in mud and faeces and they had overgrown hooves.

New Arrivals Supervisor Josie Blaber recalls: “When Linda and Lola arrived, they came with a large group of other donkeys. It was late at night and very dark, and they were all quite scared. It was obviously a long journey to get to us; it was a mammoth task.

“When they all came off the lorry and we saw them in the yard, we felt we had really achieved something getting them to us safely.

“The donkeys had been living in really terrible conditions and hasn’t had farrier, veterinary or dentistry treatment. They were in a terrible state when they arrived to us; we had to address those medical issues.

“Because of that, some had behaviour issues, which we have spent the last few years trying to rectify.”

An image of four stood in a line inside a shelter looking toward camera. — Linda, Lola, Pudding and Lexi at the rescue site in Wales.

Preparing for rehoming

Thankfully, Linda and Lola’s stoicism in the face of such adversity meant that they didn’t seem to have suffered permanent psychological issues.

Their dedicated grooms soon noticed how they actually sought out human contact, readily accepting fuss and grooming. They even stood politely, awaiting their turn for a good brush at grooming times.

Though both donkeys were quiet, Linda and Lola’s sweet natures shone – and they were soon identified as being potentially suitable for our Rehoming Scheme, which matches deserving donkeys with forever loving homes outside of our sanctuaries.

“They kept themselves to themselves,” Josie says. “But they were inquisitive and forward-going when separated from the group. That was a good sign as we knew they would thrive in a home as some donkeys much prefer being part of a herd.

“Due to their quiet and calm nature, we knew they would make great rehoming donkeys. They required very little extra work as they were easy to handle.”

Linda and Lola graduated from our Rehoming Scheme with flying colours and moved to a Guardian home in Suffolk just before Christmas 2024.

An image of a grey donkey stood next to a brown donkey in a grass paddock. — Lola (left) and Linda at their Guardian home.

A loving forever home

Today, the pair lead joyous lives under the expert care of Guardians Nick and Anne.

When we spoke to the couple last year, they were thrilled with how quickly Linda and Lola took to life in Suffolk.

“I’m delighted to say they have settled in really rather well,” Nick says. “We had no idea of what they had been through until we met Josie and the team.

“Knowing what they have been through, the fact we are able to give them a home that they can actually relax into, and know they will be loved, will hopefully make a big difference to them.

“They were pretty well loved over the last three years, but we now take on that responsibility. That’s part of the fun of it, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

An image of a man and women stood in between a brown donkey and a grey donkey in a outdoor paddock. — Nick and Anne with Linda (left) and Lola at their home in Suffolk.

An image of a grey donkey eating from a red bucket next to a brown donkey eating out a blue bucket.

In the warmth and safety of Nick and Anne’s care, Linda and Lola reap the rewards of the close personal care, with their days filled with adventure and enrichment – a far cry from the bleak existence they were forced to endure in Wales years before.

“It’s so lovely to see Linda and Lola today,” Josie says. “They look so happy, settled and content, and they are making a big difference to their Guardians just in the few weeks they have had them, so it’s a really rewarding feeling.

“They look really happy and enriched, which is always what we want out of rehoming; that they enter an enriching environment where they have all their needs met, which is clearly happening here.

“The hope is that any of the other donkeys from Operation Dawn are rehomed if they can be, and find their perfect forever homes. The ones who can’t for medical or behavioural reasons will stay here and we will give them everything they need.”

Last Christmas, Nick and Anne were also visited by our ambassador Peter Wright, star of TV’s The Yorkshire Vet, who had the chance to meet Linda and Lola and witness first-hand the fruits of everybody’s hard work to aid their transformation.

A man wearing a red Christmas hat whilst sat in stables with two donkeys — Peter Wright with rescued donkeys Linda and Lola (Credit: Daisybeck)

Last Christmas, Nick and Anne were also visited by our ambassador Peter Wright, star of TV’s The Yorkshire Vet, who had the chance to meet Linda and Lola and witness first-hand the fruits of everybody’s hard work to aid their transformation.

“Seeing Linda and Lola in their new home is absolutely fantastic, considering what they have been through,” Peter says.

“To see how they have been transformed by the fantastic work carried out with the staff of The Donkey Sanctuary, and seeing them in their new home in Suffolk, is an absolutely joy to behold.

“I am really proud to be associated with the work that has been done.”