Jogurt

We need to raise €1,450 by 29 October to buy a lovely donkey called Jogurt from the trader and transport him to safety.

Jogurt got his name because a little girl thought he was very sweet.

She showed him to all her friends. She talked about the competitions they would enter when he grew up. In her eyes, her donkey was better than any horse.

For a while, he was someone’s favourite.

We learned this from the girl’s mother when she called asking for help. But as she continued, the story changed. Her daughter had grown older. There were new interests, days out with friends, other things to do.

Somewhere along the way, Jogurt stopped being important.

His need for care did not stop.

As he was neglected, his hooves became badly damaged. He developed breathing problems and began losing sight in one eye. The donkey who had once inspired so much excitement was left with pain, poor health, and little interest in the world around him.

Jogurt had no say in any of this. He could not arrange his own care. He could not ask someone to notice what was happening.

He depended on the people who had brought him home.

Then they gave him away.

His owner told us she had handed him over to a livestock trader. Her husband was upset. He feared Jogurt would be sent to slaughter.

That was why she was calling.

During the conversation, she laughed and suggested that Jogurt should have been prettier-as though being an ordinary donkey somehow made this his fault.

But Jogurt had done nothing wrong.

He had simply grown up. He still needed care after the excitement of having him had faded. And when his health began to fail, he needed more help, not less.

Now, instead of the stable where he once lived, he stands in a trader’s barn.

His former owner later sent us the trader’s details and asked us to buy him back. She was worried about what her friends would say if they found out. She also told us she had already bought a horse and would not contribute to Jogurt’s rescue.

We cannot change the choices that brought him here.

We can still help change what happens next.

Jogurt is at risk of being sent to slaughter. We have until 29 October to raise the money needed to get him out.

We want him to have a future beyond that barn. A chance to receive care. To stand in the shade on a warm day. To have grass beneath his feet and people who notice when something hurts.

Ordinary things. The things he has always depended on us to provide.

He should not have to be someone’s favourite to deserve them.

Our fundraising target is €1,450:

€1,100 to buy Jogurt from the trader.

€350 to transport him to safety.

This appeal will fund his purchase and transport-the first essential steps towards getting him out of danger.

Please donate before 29 October. Whatever you can give will help us reach the amount needed to bring Jogurt to safety. If you cannot donate, please share his story.

Once, a little girl imagined a whole future with him.

Jogurt still needs a future.

Please help us give him that chance.