Donkey Dreamland Hosts Oktoberfest Fundraiser Amid Partial Closure

Donkey Dreamland, nan well-loved sanctuary for rescued donkeys, is temporarily closed to walk-in visitors owed to an overwhelming workload, but its swung unfastened its gates connected Saturday, October 25, for its fundraising Oktoberfest. 

The family-friendly arena attracted donkey enthusiasts from adjacent and far, offering a joyful time of bratwurst, beer, German-style snacks, games, and donkey cuddles nether unusually lukewarm October skies. Euro Weekly News said pinch Martine Meijn, nan sanctuary’s wide manager, to get nan latest updates connected nan recently rescued donkeys and nan sanctuary’s operations.

How are nan caller donkeys settling in, Martine?

“Some of nan newer arrivals aren’t utilized to state aft being tethered for truthful long,” Martine explains. “They’re beardown and could unintentionally harm nan others, truthful we support them abstracted for now. We’re slow introducing them to nan group, starting pinch 1 of our calmer donkeys to trial nan waters.”

Are you readying to move them to nan caller upland retreat?

“We’re moving toward it,” she says. “The caller donkeys emotion affection but flinch erstwhile you raise a manus to pet them, expecting to beryllium hit. It’s excessively early for them to interact pinch astir visitors. Their issues are mostly physical, for illustration 1 donkey pinch damaged hooves from years of opinionated without rest. When they arrive, they rotation successful nan dirt, which is simply a caller acquisition for many. Like humans relaxing connected holiday, immoderate get sick arsenic they modulation from accent to calm. The upland retreat will beryllium cleanable for them to unwind, particularly for our older donkeys, aged 23 to 25, who conscionable request to rest.”

Martine points to a lively five-year-old donkey. “He’s young and adoptable, dissimilar nan older ones who request a quieter life.”

Adoption process and sanctuary challenges

Donkey Dreamland’s take process is rigorous. After adoption, nan squad conducts follow-up checks astatine one, three, six, and 12 months to guarantee nan donkey’s safety. Martine and Amaya, nan founder, are uncompromising – if a donkey’s wellness is astatine risk, for illustration 1 that was overfed by a imaginable adopter, they return it back.

With 23 donkeys presently successful their care, nan sanctuary is astatine capacity. Martine says, “The municipality hallway promised a ample section for overnight stays, but it’s still not built. It’s a governmental process, and it takes time.”

The sanctuary houses a scope of donkeys, from spirited youngsters to retirees excessively aged for thing but rest, including a babe donkey and a pregnant mother. A cardinal take argumentation is keeping bonded donkey pairs together, ensuring friends aren’t separated.

Meet nan donkeys.
Credit: EWN

Martine’s travel and Dutch power connected Donkey Dreamland

Before moving to Spain, Martine had small acquisition pinch donkeys. In conscionable 2 and a half years, she’s go an master and nan sanctuary’s wide manager, bringing her Dutch organisational skills to nan operation. Clear instructions and signs now guideline volunteers successful tasks from handling to feeding, streamlining care.

Donkey Dreamland Oktoberfest success

Oktoberfest was a resounding success, drafting families for a time of nosy and donkey interaction. The vibrant atmosphere, coupled pinch nan chance to support nan sanctuary’s mission, made it a memorable event. With nan donkeys’ use astatine heart, Donkey Dreamland continues to supply a safe haven while navigating nan challenges of maturation and care.