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Who we are
Lucy's UK Donkey Foundation is a UK registered charity (No. 1174959). Our main focus is to support our sanctuary in Israel, doing everything possible to ensure it will always be a safe home to our 52+ rescued donkeys, horses and other animals.
We do this by raising funds in the UK which are used to help maintain a sanctuary for abused and abandoned donkeys in need of treatment, protection and a safe home, which is located in a small village located approximately 9 miles east of the Israeli city of Netanya, close to the West Bank border and the West Bank city of Tulkarem.
The funds we raise also enable our small team to run mobile veterinary clinics to help the hard working donkeys, mules and horses in Israeli Arab villages and areas of the Palestinian West Bank, where they are a means to their owners' everyday livelihood. Sadly, due to the ongoing war, these clinics are currently on hold.
As part of their work, our small team in the Holy Land make every effort to help educate the donkey owners to teach them better handling methods (including correct harnessing, foot care, dentistry, feeding) and to understand that their donkeys and horses are sentient beings that will improve their livelihood if they are cared for well and not suffering.
Our mission
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To support and encourage a change of attitude towards working equines by owners living and working in Israel and the West Bank
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To provide funds to support the charitable work of our small team working in the Holy Land to alleviate pain and suffering of maltreated or abandoned equines
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To provide funds, equipment and medication, enabling our small team to work in Israel running and maintaining the sanctuary for donkeys in need of treatment, protection and a safe home
Our aims
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To provide monthly funding to support our small Israel-based team, promoting humane behaviour towards animals
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To enable them to continue to provide a high standard of care, protection, treatment and security for animals in need of care or first aid medical treatment by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances
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To enable them to educate the public, especially owners in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among working animals
Our set-up
Our patron
We have a board of four trustees in the UK who are enthusiastic and hardworking, keen to support the care of rescued equines and improve the lives of working animals. They are supported by a number of voluntary fundraisers who work closely with the trustees. The work on the ground is carried out by a small team of volunteers and part-time workers.
Modern-day treasure hunter Drew Pritchard of TV programme Salvage Hunters is one of Britain’s leading architectural salvage dealers - with a soft spot for donkeys!
About Lucy Fensom
UK-born Lucy Fensom has been working with donkeys and other equines in Israel and the Palestinian Territories since 2000. In 2015, encouraged by loyal supporters of her work, Lucy set up a small sanctuary in Central Israel. In 2017, the UK registered charity Lucy's UK Donkey Foundation was founded to support the work started by Lucy and her husband Adi Zahor. They are supported by a small team of volunteers and part-time workers. During the many years working for equines in the Holy Land, Lucy has gained supporters in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA but predominantly the UK.
To find out how Lucy became involved in equine welfare in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, read Lucy's story.