Following their latest trip to the Algarve, British holidaymakers Chris and Elaine Mugleston have decided to re-home several rescued donkeys and mules from the region’s animal charities.
Chris, who lives with his wife on a farm in North Devon, told the Algarve Resident: “On our last visit to our holiday home in the region, which we have visited for around five years, we saw an advert in the Algarve Resident for the Goldra animal shelter in Loulé, which was desperate to find a home for two mules.
“We decided to keep the mules and they are currently waiting for us to collect them from a friend’s orange grove near Paderne. We already have four donkeys which we imported from the Refúgio dos Burros donkey Sanctuary in Estômbar and will be bringing back another four with the two mules.”
He added: “We love donkeys, they are very placid creatures, each has its own individual character and they talk to you. They are very easy to look after, especially as we live on a farm with a farrier next door.”
With money raised by the North Devon Animal Ambulance, run by Diana Lewis, as well as funds from other supporters, Chris and Elaine are hoping to transport the animals to the UK this month. Throughout 2009, the North Devon Animal Ambulance charity will also be holding several events to raise funds for Goldra and the Refúgio dos Burros donkey Sanctuary.
“We estimate that the cost of the transport will be around 2,000 pounds sterling (2,057 euros). This includes the payment of a veterinary inspection and micro chipping for each animal. We also have to pay for export certificates from the Ministry of Agriculture, which have to be translated from Portuguese into Spanish, French and English.”
Chris and Elaine are also looking for anyone in the Algarve who could lend them a horse lorry or horse box that can accommodate the six animals for the journey.
If you would like to offer your support or a donation for this rescue operation, please contact Chris or Elaine on 0044 (0)1271 879 512 or 0044 (0)7802 285 842.
To find out more about the Refúgio dos Burros Donkey Sanctuary in Estômbar, telephone Peter Lander on 962 633 811 or 282 432 713. To contact the Goldra animal shelter call Maria de Lourdes Ingle on 916 136 011.
1″>news
