Donkey hugs, homemade cakes and a lifetime of care: inside Hayling Island’s unique sanctuary
For two decades, Tracey and Paul Hunt have dedicated their lives to unwanted and rescued donkeys and they have no plans to slow down.
There will be no big party to mark two 20 years of the Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary.
Not because Tracey and Paul Hunt aren’t proud of what they have achieved, but simply because there are 33 donkeys to look after and it’s a 24/7 operation.
Since founding the sanctuary in 2006, the couple have transformed their home into a place of love, care and peace for donkeys that have been unwanted, abandoned or simply found themselves in need of a second chance.
Today, their growing herd ranges from just seven months old to donkeys well into their late 20s.
Everyone has a story to tell. Some have arrived in a shocking condition. Others have been rescued from difficult circumstances or from beach rides. One was found wandering the streets locally with police eventually alerting Tracey to his plight.
He is now safe, cared for and has found a loving home. For Tracey and Paul, the sanctuary is a full time commitment but one they wouldn’t change.
It all started with two donkeys, Ollie and Rusty.
“We originally started by buying two donkeys, Ollie and Rusty, who were giving rides to children on Hayling Island seafront,” said Tracey.
“We used to have horses and then we started with the donkey sanctuary realising there were so many that needed re-homing.”
Two donkeys eventually have eventually became 33, and what began as a love for two animals has developed into a lifelong mission to improve donkey welfare.
“Working with these amazing animals has taught us a great deal and we now have a growing herd,” said Tracey.
“One of the biggest things we have learnt is how magical an animal they are. People think they are stubborn, but they aren’t!
“They bring a smile to the heavy-hearted, a shriek of delight to young and old alike and a donkey hug seems to melt most problems away. It appears everyone loves a donkey, just look around you today.”
The sanctuary could not operate without its small army of dedicated volunteers, who give their time freely to help care for the animals.
Among them is Alex, who travels from Bournemouth twice a week. Now semi-retired, he has always had a love of donkeys and is more than happy to get stuck into the less glamorous side of sanctuary life.
“You have to be OK with cleaning up lots of poo, and that’s OK,” he said.
“It can be roasting hot here or very cold, or raining! I groom them, feed them and do general maintenance. I love it. There’s something very special about donkeys and people’s eyes light up when they see them.”
Claire is another regular volunteer, spending Saturdays from 7am until 2pm working in the sanctuary’s tea shop.
For her, volunteering is about giving something back – although visitors might also be tempted by the range of homemade cakes, which are something of an attraction in their own right.
Running a sanctuary of this size does not come cheaply.
Veterinary bills are the biggest expense, with one month alone costing more than £20,000 this year following an operation and the aftercare required when one of the donkeys gave birth unexpectedly.
The sanctuary relies entirely on donations from the public and local businesses to meet these costs.
And right now, there is an urgent need for one of the most basic necessities of all: hay.
“We rely totally on donations from the public and local businesses,” said Tracey.
“As you can imagine with the weather we have a shortage of hay, so a shout out to anyone who can help. We are desperate.”
One of the simplest ways the general public can support the sanctuary is by adopting a donkey.
An adoption costs £40, helping towards food, veterinary bills and the many other overheads involved in caring for the herd.
For Lisa, from Southampton, adopting one of the sanctuary’s most senior residents resulted in a birthday surprise she will never forget.
Tracey allowed Lisa to meet Rusty – one of the donkeys who started Tracey and Paul’s journey all those years ago.
Now well into his mid-20s, Rusty was more than happy to take part in a birthday meet and greet.He’s seen it all before.
“It was very special to meet Rusty and what a character,” said Lisa. “I love donkeys and would love to have two, but I can now see what goes into keeping them, so I’ll come here and see Rusty and all the others instead.”
She even brought along three bags of carrots for the afternoon treat which is one of their favourites.
The sanctuary is open to the public and entry is free, although visitors need to book in advance because of the limited space and the scale of the operation.
That arrangement has an unexpected benefit. Visits feel personal rather than like a traditional visitor attraction.
Guests can discover their individual stories and, if they arrive around treat time, may even be treated to a full-blown donkey chorus.
There is also a gift shop selling an impressive array of donkey-themed items, from inexpensive gifts to larger presents costing more than £50.
But ultimately, the sanctuary exists for one reason – the donkeys.
“For us to achieve our objectives in the area of donkey welfare, we need to raise money from members of the public by inspiring them to donate and join our efforts in rescuing and caring for donkeys,” said Tracey.
After two decades, Tracey and Paul may not have time to celebrate their remarkable achievement.
There is hay to find, people to meet, vets to pay, stables to clean, and volunteers to organise. But most importantly, there is 33 donkeys depending on them.
And perhaps that is the perfect way to mark 20 years. Not with a party, but by carrying on doing what they have always done: giving unwanted and rescued donkeys a safe place to call home.
Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary
Mill Rythe Lane, Hayling Island, PO11 0QG
Visitors must book in advance. Donkey adoptions cost £40 and donations are welcome.