Donkey Photo Gallery
PrimRose
PrimRose, the namesake of PrimRose Donkey sanctuary passed away peacefully on February 1st 2021 in her 47th year. Prim was an amazing girl who was Sheila’s first donkey-the one that started it all! She was a wonderful ambassador for the sanctuary, visiting long term care residents, participating in parades and Easter services.
She liked to wear her halter a little off to the side, her own fashion statement, such a special girl. Prim was also a very good sport, wearing her tiara and pearls for special occasions. PrimRose used to pull a cart at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto and was then shifted around from farm to farm for about five years before becoming Sheila’s first donkey.
Prim had lived her best life with Sheila for 27 years and knew how loved she was. PrimRose will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Don Quixote (Ote)
Now 30 years old, Sheila has had Ote since he was eight months old. Ote was companion to Gilly flower, who was Primrose's foal. Currently, he is the patriarch of the sanctuary and Sheila's confidante!
Joey
20 years old, Joey is our alpha. Before he found a home at PrimRose, his owners had beaten him with a baseball bat, tied him to a tree and left him there to starve. Goats who escaped from the same farm were found by a neighbour, and when she returned them, she found poor Joey. It took two months for him to trust people, but now he is an in-your-face alpha male!
Oliver and Mom Sally Ann
A pregnant Sally Ann was rescued from an auction by good friends of Sheila's. Sally Ann had painfully twisted, overgrown hooves. Her future that day was bleak; if not for the intervention of the sanctuary. Oliver born two weeks after Sally's arrival and was a complete surprise. Oliver celebrated his 12th birthday on August 19th and is enjoying life with his mom at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary.
Sarah Rose and Lily
Sarah Rose passed away peacefully at 51 years of age, in January 2020. Lily understood what happened and is doing very well without her mom. Lily has become mother figure to the four mini donkeys. Especially Amelia.
Here's their story: Lily and her mom Sarah Rose were rescued with Robbie and his mom Emily. Lily was covered in big round burs and only about 2 or 3 weeks old.
Riley
Riley is a teenager who was very 'wild' when first arriving at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary. He wanted to chase the other donkeys and not come near anyone to get any attention. He is a 'new and improved' donkey loving attention and not bothering the other donkeys (as much). He has now bonded with Sally, Oliver and Robbie. Way to go Riley!
Jessie Mini
Jessie mini came to us with Austin and Wilson, mules. He has cataracts and is going blind. He smells the ground while he is walking therefore it's a slow process to walk him into the barn. Jessie enjoying a head scratch on a post and is pictured here with best friend Suzie
Jack and Sara
Jack is a large standard gelding and Sara's loyal protector.
Sara is a larger miniature donkey and a very sweet girl.
Robbie
Robbie is Emily's son and half brother to Christmas. Robbie and his cousin Lily were covered in round burs and very thin when rescued in April 2012. Robbie and Oliver (who is Sally Ann's son) have become best friends.
Rosie, Tiana, Lily and Amelia Bedelia
Bathing beauties Rosie and Tiana with Lily and Amelia Bedelia in the background.
Suzie Q and mom Charisma
Charisma passed away from old age on Christmas day 2018. She was over 45 old. Her daughter Susie Q has accepted this and has developed her own routine. She will be missed by daughter Susie Q, Sheila and volunteers. Suzie has made friends with Jessie mini.
Aggie and Finnegan
Aggie (mammoth donkey) and Finnegan (Mini Finnie the miniature donkey) were at the sanctuary a few years ago until going to a foster farm, have now returned. Aggie is a friendly, curious gentle donkey who loves being groomed and petted and also loves Finnegan. She treats Finnegan like her son: they are often close to each other and Finnegan easily walks under Aggie’s head. However biologically they are not related.
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Molly and Elizabeth
Molly and Elizabeth are very attached to each other. They arrived at the sanctuary within 3 days of each other and bonded.
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Snowball
Snowball arrived with his mammoth buddy Tommy. Tommy has since passed away. Snowball has become friends Riley and Robbie.
Oscar
Oscar lives with his friend Junebug (a hinny) at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary and is doing very well and has recovered from his surgery to remove a huge tumor from his gum.
John
John came to us with his friend Max. After a rivalry we had to find a home for Max. John is very loving and a good friend to Ote. You can see how relaxed John is chilling in his favourite spot behind the barn.
Zak, Erik and Jos. Louis.
From tall to smaller: Zack, Erik and Jos. Louis.
These very sweet guys are from Quebec! Zak and Erik are bilingual, Jos. Louis, French only.
Best friends Raspberry and Abigail
Poppy
Poppy is a very sweet girl and came from a very loving home. Since she has eye issues, she wears a fly mask that protects her eyes. She can see through the fly mask, it's like looking through a screen door.
Holly
Holly arrived Jan 6th 2022, so emaciated and weak that she had to be winched up with a special harness for the first three weeks. She also had a back injury that was very painful, adding to her difficulty rising. Holly was lovingly cared for and nursed back to health by the very determined and dedicated volunteers, and Dr. Kelli Gilson and her team of health care professionals. We do not give up! It was a very rocky road to Holly's recovery, but this is her today. This, is what the Sanctuary is all about. Here's a link to the youtubevideo
Sadie
Sadie came to us very sad, she had just lost her donkey friend of 15 years. Unfortunately the previous owners did not let her see Lizzie's body. Therefore she didn't know where her friend had gone. This is very important. Sadie is now friends with Hannah.
Merlin
Merlin came to us due to a marriage breakup. His name was Mo Mo. Sheila changed his name to Merlin which we thought suited this sweet boy who loves to sing much better
Maggie and Olivia
Maggie was bought at a meat auction, we paid for her by the pound, $700.00. She has since had a jenny foal, Olivia. She was born on August 7th 2020 and is a wonderful addition to the family.
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Hannah
Hannah is a large miniature donkey. And was bought at a livestock auction. She was advertised 'as a wonderful Christmas present for your grandchild'. Obviously we had to take her. The very sweet Hannah who loves attention is having a snack in this lovely photo!
Victoria and Marguerite