If you’re looking for a ‘hee-hawesome’ day out in celebration of World Donkey Day 2024, we stumbled across a fabulous spot in the South of Cornwall called the Flicka Donkey Sanctuary.
Founded by Mary Berryman in 1995, following the rescue and care of a neglected pony named 'Flicka'; the sanctuary definitely doesn't ‘half-ass’ it!’ The support they provide to their easy-going equines goes above and beyond, sharing that “Donkeys are sensitive creatures and their affection is boundless, which, in itself, is amazing considering all they have endured.”
A Flicka of Hope

Mary's daughter, Judy Giles, and Laurie Stephenson continue Flicka’s legacy as Directors. Their sanctuary site provides a safe home for over 100 donkeys and horses, all of whom have been rescued from situations of neglect, abuse and abandonment. The charity has rescued and rehabilitated over 1000 animals since its inception and its four-legged friends are free to live out their days in peaceful retirement, with their specialised needs catered to by an experienced team.
The real asses…
If you haven’t already noticed, The Cool Animal Blog loves to spotlight the likes of some fascinating and amazing species, but unfortunately, humans do have a significant impact on our animals and ecosystems (and not always in the good way.)
Many of Flicka’s donkeys have been rescued from miserable marketplaces, where our sentient donkeys are sold by dodgy dealers and callously transported across seas in despicable conditions, where they’re later farmed for food, their skins or medicine.
In some cases, donkeys are bought as pets and neglected by their owners and even sometimes abandoned without a second thought. Others are sold into slavery, used for rides for tourists on beaches, losing weight at rapid speeds and being stuck in the never-ending cycle of carrying the weight of holiday makers who don’t recognise the gruelling hardships of a donkey’s forced servitude.
Thankfully, the brilliant team at Flicka truly cares about the welfare of donkeys, far and wide. We could see that just within the first few minutes of walking through the gates of this virtuous haven for our hay-eating compadres.
Celebrate World Donkey Day with Flicka

Visitors are encouraged to explore (at no cost), open Thursdays through Sundays, between 11am and 4pm, all year round. Additionally, The Flicka Foundation offers donkey therapy sessions, where participants can expect to experience the profound benefits of bonding with these gentle animals. These include cultivating confidence, fostering empathy, and mastering the navigation of complex emotions. Donkeys, known for their emotional intelligence and sensitivity, offer boundless affection.
Their unique ability to connect with humans creates a profound sense of relaxation and harmony, fostering a mutually beneficial and empathetic relationship between participants.
About the Flicka Foundation Charity

The charity relies on the generosity of the general public to fund its vital work protecting and caring for these beautiful animals. Over the past few years, it has seen an unprecedented number of rescues, vet, farrier and dental visits and receives regular requests to rescue more donkeys in desperate need. The initial transport and veterinary care for one new arrival can easily exceed £3000, as many donkeys arrive in very poor physical condition. This does not include ongoing care and the charity spends £65,000 a year on feed alone for its sanctuary residents, so donations are always greatly appreciated.
(All photos sourced courtesy of the Flicka Foundation)
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