The legal conclusion of an animal welfare charity's largest-ever UK rescue has been marked by over 80 donkeys moving into their homes for life.
The Donkey Sanctuary has registered the donkeys officially, drawing a close to the welfare charity's paramount UK rescue operation.
The historic rescue occurred during the Covid pandemic on a frosty day in February 2021.
Read more: Top 10 most expensive properties sold in East Devon in 2023
It was a sophisticated operation that involved multiple agencies, including the sanctuary, the RSPCA, the police, and a range of equine welfare charities like Redwings, World Horse Welfare, British Horse Society, and Bransby Horses.
Over 70 distressed donkeys were saved from a farm in Wales and immediately placed under the guardianship of The Donkey Sanctuary's staff.
The donkeys, which included 20 prenatal mares, were found grappling with complications due to overgrown hooves and unhygienic accommodations.
All of them received urgent medical, grooming, and dental attention from the sanctuary.
The three-year-long legal proceedings arrived at a closure this week, symbolising the official adoption of these donkeys.
The conclusion assured all rescued donkeys, including the newborns after the rescue operation, a safe home for life.
Talking about the achievement, head of welfare at the sanctuary, Hannah Bryer said: "This rescue is a fantastic example of multiple organisations working together to ensure the best long-term outcome for the donkeys.
"Accommodating such a large number of donkeys at short notice was not an easy task, but teams from across The Donkey Sanctuary came together without question to offer a place of safety when these donkeys needed us most."
Faith Burden, executive director of equine operations at the sanctuary, expressed relief over the conclusion of legal proceedings.
She said: "This is a great outcome for the donkeys involved in what is the largest UK rescue The Donkey Sanctuary has undertaken in its 54-year history.
"Although they have been in our care since the day of the rescue, protracted legal proceedings meant the future of many of the donkeys was in limbo.
"The court ruling that all donkeys involved should remain in our care is a huge relief to our staff and supporters."
She added: "To have secured a safe future for these donkeys is thanks to the close collaboration of a number of agencies, who came together at a time of utmost urgency. “Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the people who enable The Donkey Sanctuary to carry out the work that we do, so we can be there for donkeys who are most in need”.
For those no longer requiring specialist treatment, the legal clearance has lit the path for them to find permanent homes through the charity's rehoming scheme.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here