I have always loved Donkeys.  On moving to Coedllys in summer 1994 I started looking around.

Delia Donkey was my first rescue.  Delia was “for sale” with her companion Gemma goat.  She was in a poor state and lived in a field full of “Ragwort” – deadly to most animals.  Her shelter was a very tatty corrugated shed, which was full of holes and rotting farm equipment.  Her feet had not been trimmed for a long time.  Her owner said he “sanded them with a black and decker occasionally” – he also kept hitting her about the head.

I paid £150.00 and bought her and Gemma home with the help of a wonderful farmer friend.

Gemma was very afraid of men.  At first she just tolerated Keith, but she soon grew to trust him.  She nearly loved him as much as she loved me. And I LOVED Delia to bits.  She also loved having the farrier visit.  Sadly Gemma goat died after a few months of pneumonia.

This was a very sad time for Delia.  Donkeys can, and do, die from broken hearts, when a companion dies.  Delia stood over Gemma for a day and a half, before she moved into the field and, only then, were we were able to bury Gemma.

Within the day my friend bought over a “molly lamb” (orphaned).   Within a very short space of time these two became the very best of chums.  Gemma sheep, as we called her, would stand underneath Delia’s tummy.  They were totally inseparable.

We had Delia for 11 years, before one day she could not get up.  I was broken hearted – in fact I still am.

By this time we had added more donkeys, ponies, sheep and goats to the menagerie.   It was Gemma’s turn to grieve with Ginny Donkey and Maisy Mule.  It took 16 hours before we were able to take Delia away.  Ginny immediately took over looking after Gemma, (who incidentally, has absolutely no idea she is a sheep – no! she is definitely a donkey).  They are the best of friends.  I know Delia had a wonderful 11 years with us.

We do not re home our animals.  Most have been rescued from very sad lives and some have been given to us by caring farmers.  Many of the sheep we have been given were at deaths door, and survived with lots of love and affection.

We started running the bed and breakfast to pay for the sanctuary.  It still helps with the feed, bedding and vets bills.

Our newest addition to our animal family is a beautiful pure bred Shetland pony, called Patch.  He is adorable.

When you visit us at Coedllys you a more than welcome to visit the animals.  If they are in the barn, please just ask and Keith will be very please to take you to meet them all.

Please drive slowly when coming onto the smallholding as there are many chicken, ducks and pea foul ambling about.