DONKEYS love all the attention they get from visitors to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary every day of the week, but to give them a break for their own wellbeing, the facility has cut the number of days it opens to five. 

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is adopting a new five-day opening plan to 'improve donkey welfare' from November 4.

The sanctuary, currently open throughout the week, will close on Thursdays and Fridays.

Staff will make use of these quiet periods to focus on health checks, personalised care and enrichment, ensuring the donkeys experience "restful, stress-free" grazing.

READ MORE:

The sanctuary says the schedule shift is integral to the broader effort to solidify its status as a donkey welfare centre of excellence.

Over the past year, substantial investments have been made in improving the welfare of the animals, including new paddocks, improved shelter conditions, a renovated care area for donkeys, and enhanced staff training in advanced equine welfare techniques.

These changes are designed to benefit the sanctuary's senior and palliative care inhabitants.

The sanctuary's recent efforts were validated by a recent independent Equid Assessment Research and Scoping (EARS) report by The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth.

The EARS report highlighted improved hoof health, fewer lice infestations and positive interaction among the donkeys.

For about 40 years, the Wroxall-based sanctuary has cared for rescued donkeys, mules and ponies and attracts more than 120,000 visitors annually.