Just moments away from being loaded onto a truck bound for slaughter, we were able to rescue three incredible donkeys. We call them the Soda Pop Girls—Cola, Fanta, and Shasta. Fanta and Cola, who came from the same farm, do everything together, while Shasta hails from a separate location.

First Stop: The Hospital

Our first priority was getting the girls the care they needed. They had thorough exams, including bloodwork, chest ultrasounds, and hoof x-rays. We estimate they're about ten years old. Cola and Fanta’s feet had never been trimmed—something that left us concerned, but surprisingly (and thankfully!), the x-rays didn’t show any significant damage. Shasta, however, has laminitis and a club foot.

To help ease their discomfort, we’ve started them on daily pain medication. We’re taking it slow to ensure they settle in comfortably, so after about two weeks, Dr. Metcalf will perform their first trim. While it’s tempting to do it all at once, it’s important for their health and stress levels that we give them time to adjust.

A Pneumonia Battle

The bloodwork and ultrasounds for Cola and Shasta came back great, but Fanta’s results revealed a mild pneumonia infection. We immediately started her on antibiotics, and just when we thought things were looking up, we found her wheezing the next morning. Worried about her condition, we rushed Fanta—and her bestie Cola—back to the hospital. Pneumonia can be deadly for donkeys, and we didn’t want to take any chances.

Nebulizer Treatments & Recovery

Fanta stayed at the hospital for a few days, receiving nebulizer treatments to help with her breathing. Thankfully, she made it through and is back home with Cola and Shasta, settling in.

Learning Their Likes and Dislikes

As they settle into their new home, we’ve been figuring out what they like and don’t like. For example, all our donkeys typically love timothy hay, but not our Soda Pop Girls! They turned up their noses and preferred coastal hay, which is a bit lower in quality. Thankfully, our neighbor had a bale to experiment with—proving once again that the girls know exactly what they want!

A New Beginning

We’re so grateful to have rescued these girls and are dedicated to giving them all the love and care they deserve. With each day, we see more of their personalities shine through, and we can’t wait to see them thrive here at our Sanctuary!