Donkeys and Friends

29/07/2026

Hoof cleaning is an important part of donkey care. 🫏✨ It helps keep their feet healthy, comfortable, and ready for all their daily adventures. Plus… it’s oddly satisfying to watch! 🤎

27/07/2026

Our donkey, Constantina, absolutely loves a good bum scratch! She’ll happily turn around and present her backside, making it clear exactly where she wants to be scratched. Donkeys are affectionate animals and often enjoy scratches in this area, and Constantina is no exception - it’s one of her favorite ways to get attention and relax.

24/07/2026

24/07/2026

Dear Friends,

We still can't quite believe it. Thanks to you, we've reached our goal, and we now have incredible vets from around the world weighing in with their best recommendations for Serafim's treatment.

A Week We Will Never Forget :)

Last week, two donkeys arrived within two days of each other. For the first time, the teenagers who work at our sanctuary got to lead the healing process themselves, guiding these animals through their first steps toward trust and recovery. Gabriel, Lilli, Valerio, Little Luis, and Rodrigo are growing into real donkey caretakers right before our eyes, and it's truly one of the most wonderful parts of this work: witnessing that gentle, patient connection with animals being passed down.

One of those new arrivals was Serafim, whose previous owner let his health decline for years. Without routine care or hygiene, he slowly lost his eyesight, and he arrived with painful open wounds on all four legs from prolonged exposure to the elements. And yet, he might be the most affectionate donkey we've ever met, leaning into every bit of care we give him, as if he's been waiting his whole life for someone to notice him. It's hard to explain how a being who's been through so much can still be so full of love, but we feel lucky every day that he trusts us with it.

His name, Serafim, comes from a word meaning "the burning ones" or "the ardent ones," used to describe something fiery, glowing, and full of warmth. It felt like the right name for him.

Your contributions are going directly toward his care: eye surgery, medicine, wound treatment, dental work, new shelter improvements built for a donkey who will feel his way home, even if he can no longer see it. With proper treatment, Serafim could have another 10 to 20 good years ahead of him. Because of you, he'll get to live them.

We're also hopeful that Serafim will have a companion very soon. We think our deva donkey Constanina might be just right for the job. He's in a split house so he can already see and communicate with the other donkeys; he has a soft bed to rest in, and his bray is getting bigger by the day.

This fundraiser came together because a group of volunteers showed up for us at exactly the right time. Leonor, Maddie, and Brice have given their time and energy without hesitation, and we couldn't have done this without them, or without you.

Thanks to you, Serafim gets a real chance at the life he deserves, and so does every donkey who finds their way to us. Thank you, from all of us, and from every donkey whose life you've touched.

With gratitude,
The Donkeys & Friends Team

"When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul."
— A.D. Williams

Hi! We are Donkeys & Friends- a local conservation initiative committed to rescu… Bethany Joy needs your support for Help Treat the Rescued Donkey, Serafim!

20/07/2026

Help us heal Serafim!

10/05/2026

HELP US SEND THESE KIDS TO STUDY!
Three years ago, we began noticing three children flying down the roads of Água de Alto on
rusty bicycles — later scooters, rubber boats, always moving through the rain and sunshine
with wild island spirit. Their names are Lilli, Gabriel, and Valerio.
One day during a donkey walk, little Valerio looked at one of our donkeys and gave the most
heartfelt “Hee Haw!” imaginable. From that moment, a beautiful friendship began.
These children come from a loving family of nine siblings and have always shown
extraordinary care for animals, people, and community.
Then tragedy struck. Valerio suffered a brain abscess rupture connected to an old bicycle
accident that fractured his skull. He was rushed to the mainland, temporarily lost his vision,
and now lives with permanent hearing loss.
But Valerio is a fighter.
With a hearing implant and endless determination, he is slowly learning to speak again. In the
absence of speech therapists, we began working with our donkey Anacleto — using sound,
breath, presence, and connection to help Valerio rebuild confidence in his voice. And it’s
working.
Now we have an opportunity to support these incredible young people even further.
Soon, renowned horseman and facilitator Guto Petry will be offering transformational training
in Portugal based on non-violent equine connection, emotional healing, and community
empowerment.
His work teaches:
Self-awareness & emotional regulation
Empathy & non-verbal communication
Shared healing & human connection
Respectful coexistence with nature
This aligns deeply with the mission of Donkeys and Friends: helping young Azoreans reconnect
to purpose, confidence, and possibility.
We want to send these kids to participate in this life-changing experience.
We need your help to raise €500 per child.
This covers flights and food — accommodation has generously already been offered.
If we can make this happen, we promise to document the journey and share the learning with
everyone longing for deeper connection with animals, nature, and themselves.
If you would like to support these beautiful young humans, please reach out
or donate. Every contribution matters.
PayPal - [email protected]
MBway +351 926724810
Novo Banco Açores
Acct: 100889700008
IBAN: PT50016001000088970000875

06/05/2026

Happy Birthday Joaquin!! Springtime has finally arrived! We celebrated the hard work of our entire team with a fire, and pizza and desserts by .

What a life!

Summer walks have already begun and we are thinking of offering fireside donkey hangs with views of the Let’s see what spring and summer has in store!

Sending love from our farmily to yours.

31/07/2024

If you've been following the story of our newest addition to the farm, you'll be amazed to see her now! We know many of you wish to support and help the donkeys in some way, so we're working to make that easier for you. If you would like to support her medical attention and nutrition, you can donate here: https://rb.gy/wnqnjd. And help us decide on a name! Put your suggestion in the comments below. ❤️

29/07/2024

UPDATE: She's arrived and is already starting to open up and show her loving personality. Her spirit is not broken! She can feel the possibility of a new start and her playfulness and curiosity are already coming. To see this much kindness and sweetness come from a life chained to the ground with seemingly no hope is quite incredible. She does have hope and it shows. She is so full of love! We are ready to show HER all the love that humans are capable of. 🌼