Many donkeys in the area are not treated well. The people who use, rather over use them, are generally too poor to take care of them properly.

These donkeys haul heavy loads of wood from the forests (an illegal activity), and carry large bundles of clothes back and forth to the river for washing. Unfortunately, the owners take care of them, to some extent, as long as they are capable of working. When business is slow, the donkeys are usually abandoned, left to fend for themselves. They can be seen wandering around the village eating from overflowing trash bins beside other hungry animals, such as dogs and pigs (being raised for slaughter).

Abandoned donkeys often suffer from broken bones, maggot-infested wounds, and large patches of skin ripped away;most of these conditions are the result of wrong or over loading.

They are brought to Karuna Hospital for Large Animals, often by our ambulance and treated immediately.

Once they have recovered, they are either returned to the owner with a warning or, they are handed over to a new owner willing to take good care of them and to use them in a less taxing manner.

Donkeys that are too weak to return to a life of labour remain at the Karuna Shelter, where they are lovingly cared for till the end.

No longer abandoned and alone, they regain not only their health but also their spirit.