THE Irish Donkey Society (IDS) has launched its new website (https://donkeysociety.ie) to help keep donkey lovers all over the world up to date with what is happening in Ireland. Formed in 1972 by Lady Averil Swinfin at her donkey stud in Spanish Point, Co. Clare, the Irish Donkey Society is a registered charity (number 11235).

The colourful and easy to access website is a joy to view with lots of gorgeous photos and entertaining videos to look at, plus various short articles on how to look after your donkey or mule.

“These lovely sociable animals need care, attention, and protection and there are fewer than 10,000 donkeys on the island of Ireland so we need to take action now before they disappear from Ireland in 50 years’ time,” said PRO James Wyse.

Across the world, the populations of donkeys are being decimated due to the demand for their hides, driven by medical myths in Chinese medicine.

The new website has sections on:

CARE: We want to improve the care and welfare of the Irish donkey.

AWARE: We want to create awareness for this beautiful animal.

IMPROVE: We want to improve the status of the Irish donkey.

There is also Covid-19 advice for donkey owners, plus latest news, events, and stories as well as videos and photos.

The Donkey Display on the Sunday afternoon of Dublin Horse Show (cancelled this year due to Covid-19) is always hugely popular with the crowds.

It costs just €25 p.a. to join the Irish Donkey Society, and the new website will hopefully encourage members of the public, as well as businesses, to come forward and get involved.