The Greek Donkey is one of the most misunderstood, mistreated animals in todays society.
Agia Marina Donkey Rescue was founded in 2006. We receive no Govt. Funding and are totally reliant on public donations, donkey sponsoring and fundraising. No needy, unwanted or sick donkey will be turned away but will be warmly welcomed to our rescue centre and given all the care and love they need for the remainder of their lives.
These days many poor old Greek donkeys are being replaced by vehicles, donkeys have been used in Greece for many 1000's of yrs to carry people, olives, firewood, bales of hay pull ploughs etc etc, sadly many are abandoned by the roadside or tied cruelly in the hot sun without food or water to die slowly or end up in the 'meat' trucks. Many have injuries or have been mistreated, most have never been seen by a Vet, many have been hobbled all their lives and just love the new found freedom of our fields at Agia Marina Donkey Rescue....
I first came to Crete from New Zealand when I was 17, that was the beginning of my 'love affair' with the Island and Greek donkeys but it was not until the early 2000's after purchasing some land that I was able to start rescuing and caring for needy donkeys, so was born the Agia (Saint) Marina Donkey Rescue, named after a small church on a hill nearby
Agia Marina Donkey Rescue Crete
Crete's mystery is extremely deep
whoever sets foot on this island
senses a mysterious force branching
warmly and beneficially through his veins
senses his soul begin to grow
Nikos Kazantzakis
Report to El Greco
GREEK REGISTERED SANCTUARY
NON PROFIT ORGANISATION
AM. 2501.. AP. AΠ. 807/2012
NON PROFIT ORGANISATION
AM. 2501.. AP. AΠ. 807/2012
Greek Law 2017 (1992): No one should pointlessly make an animal suffer or cause it distress. No one should abandon a domestic animal
Barbara Doulyerakis
Founder of the Sanctuary
Our Donkey Sanctuary
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Agia Marina Donkey Sanctuary
Agia Marina - Petrokefali - Mires
Heraklion - Crete 70400
Greece
May 1 2013
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APOLLO is our most charming donkey who loves attention. He came with Kleo from the same owner, he also had a very bad eye infection but it has healed now and is fine....They are both very sweet, friendly donkeys... Apollo is also very curious (nosy) and the best model when we're taking pictures :-)
Our charming donkey of the month APOLLO
Enjoy our Spring 2013 Newsletter
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OPEN TO VISITORS DAILY.....
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
10AM TO 14.00
17.00 TO 20.00
CLOSED EVERY Wednesday morning & Sunday all day
OLIVE, our donkey of the month PINELOPE'S best friend, is now over 35 yrs old and totally blind...she is free to roam in the sanctuary field in the company of the rest of the herd but knocks into trees, branches and fences etc, Her head is often scratched and bleeding and it has been a continual worry for us..
We were very fortunate however with the help of our friends Liz and Dave Barrett in England after hearing of Olive's plight did some rese...arch and came up with, and donated, this great 'crash helmet' for equines. Today Olive tried it out fot the first time and it is a great success !!.. we watched her walk around the field today, she collided with two trees and just gently bounce off again...
Many, many thanks Liz and Dave, now Olive's days will be much happier :-)
MAKE YOUR GARDENS FLOURISH AND HELP OUR RESCUE DONKEYS AT THE SAME TIME !! ..APOLLO AGREES THAT IT'S GREAT !
Our 100% organic matured donkey poos & hay mulch mix is the perfect food for vegetable and flower gardens, potplants, fruit trees, olive orchards and vineyards.
It holds in moisture & keeps roots cool over the hot summer months and does not smell or attract flies..
Only 5 euros for a large sack ( 20 - 30 kgs) delivered to you door in our area of Crete..
Overseas orders ( with air tickets ) will be accepted..:-)
For orders please contact Agia Marina Donkey Sanctuary Crete
Tel. (0030) 28920 42556 or mobile 6949168763
email : donkeyrescue@hotmail.com
Check out our new Donk-E-Shop
Spring 2013
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“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” … This is what we keep in mind when rescuing yet another donkey, dog or cat. No matter how sad, desperate, frustrating or unfair a situation is, we try our best to give these animals the best new start in their life and forget about their past.
The summer season is starting soon so our Sanctuary will be open for visitors again. During the winter season, we hardly have visitors here and use our time to repair and prepare for the next season. Like every year, we hope to welcome many visitors. There is however another side to this and that is the one of dis-traught visitors seeking help, bewildered by the conditions they witnessed. So-metimes people are demanding that we help and insist it is our duty. They do forget that we have been sacrificing ourselves (time, money, …) for a very long time and that we can’t go back to our comfortable home after the holidays are finished. Of course not all tourists are like this. Some of them will become friends who follow and support us any way they can. Some even adopt an ani-mal and take it home to give them a chance to a better life.
Greece is still struggling and not just the people. Animals are the first ones to be left behind. The streets are full of them and they are not a main concern for the Greek government.
We really need all the support we can get so hopefully there will never be a day where we might have to refuse a donkey simply because there is no more space or money so it can make that big new start in their sad life.
A very big thank you to all our friends, fans & supporters who either donated their time, money or friendship so we can keep helping the Greek donkeys that need our attention and of course that well deserved new start in life
