Source:  News Release/Emma Gill

Meet Arnie and friends at Derbyshire Donkey Sanctuary free open day

Visitors are invited to meet Arnie and all his donkey friends at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Derbyshire Centre, situated in Flagg near Buxton, as part of a free open day on Sunday 5^thAugust from 10am till 4pm.

Visitors can meet the staff and get ‘hands on’ with the donkeys. There will be hot drinks and refreshments available, donkey-related goods for sale, and showings of The Donkey Sanctuary’s film describing the charity’s work worldwide.

The centre is home to rescued and unwanted donkeys who are guaranteed a sanctuary for life with the international animal welfare charity.  Some receive respite care at the centre until they are fit enough to travel to the charity’s headquarters in Sidmouth, Devon.  Other donkeys like Arnie, who suffer from long-term medical conditions or advancing age, call the centre in Flagg their home for life.

11-year-old Poitou (a large, hairy breed of donkey originally from France) Arnie was relinquished to The Donkey Sanctuary in April 2011 with seven donkey companions when his owner had to give up the land on which the donkeys were kept.

Chris Pile who runs the centre says:

“Arnie likes to have a stable routine with his donkey friends around him. Due to his anxious nature he cannot travel to The Donkey Sanctuary’s Devon headquarters so is a permanent resident at the Derbyshire Centre. His beautiful curly coat and large stature has made Arnie something of a celebrity with many open day visitors regularly returning to see this handsome chap. He is beginning to enjoy all the attention and his previous nervous disposition is being turned into one of quiet confidence.

“Arnie and our other resident donkeys enjoy all the extra fuss and attention they get on our open days, and we enjoy giving visitors an insight into our work – it’s a lovely day for all.   This is always a great event to host and we are really looking forward to holding it again on 5^th August.”

The Derbyshire Centre is on the A515 Ashbourne Road near the Bull i’ th’ Thorn Inn, six miles south of Buxton. For more information, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/derbyshire or phone the Derbyshire Centre on (01298) 83866. The centre is open to the public six times per year and hosts regular training courses for donkey owners.

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