www.donkeyrescue.org.au The Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary Inc started in 1972, by founder Jo-Anne Kokas OAM and become a charity organisation in 1990.The Sanctuary cares for over 80 donkeys and relies on the animal loving public for donations. The sanctuary covers 300 acres and we typically have around 130 donkeys on property and another 80 with our registered foster homes
Managed by a committe
e of donkey-knowledgeable members, GSDS has many decades of experience in handling, managing and caring for donkeys. Through a combination of rehabilitation, education and tlc we ensure all our donkeys live happy, secure and carefree lives. And we exist purely on the support of people like you for the funding of our work. GSDS Inc is the oldest and biggest Donkey Sanctuary in Australia and their devoted volunteers, tirelessly care for these beautiful animals. To help us help the donkeys, please go to our website to see how to donate.. http://donkeyrescueshop.org.au/make-a-donation
Thank you
Ways you can help the Sanctuary...
Everyone asks us, throughout each year, what the Donkeys need (or want) or what is on our WISH LIST. So, we’ve decided to compile a list of items we continually require, use or need and add a few things, that we would like, that would be helpful for day-to-day tasks. There are items we use every day or are things that need replacing quite often. There also may be items we would like, just to help make our days easier, to be able to care for the donkeys. Each item explains why we need these things, so you can understand the reasoning, for the items. So many people wish to help in many ways, and since money is very tight, for everyone, you may have these items at home, that are laying around, not being used, or like most people, you like to see where your money is going to and purchase items for the donkeys. We are grateful for any support and thank you to you all for considering the donkeys
at the Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary Inc. Please feel free to contact our manager, should you wish for further information. Your assistance and support is gratefully appreciated. AND without your support, the Donkey Sanctuary wouldn’t be here. This Wish List will be constantly updated as time goes on…
First Aid Items – Anything relating to first aid, we continually use. Bandages, syringes, needles, antiseptics etc, dressings. These items we continually use all the time, for the care and welfare of the donkeys. We also need to continue to update our human first aid for volunteers
Fly Repellent for Equines. Something we spend money on, regularly, especially in the warmer months is Fly Repellent. There are many brands, easily obtained from pet shops and produce stores. This is sprayed on the donkeys legs daily to give relief from flies and fly bites. Essential Oils – We use a lot of essential oils for the care of donkeys. Much is for fly repellents as well as some medicinal purposes. Oils include – Lavender, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemon Balm, Peppermint and Spearmint, Rosemary, Pine Needles, Oregano and many more (Please ask our Manager for more details). These are continually used to store first aid, feed supplements, feed, other donated goods, to protect from dust and dirt and especially to protect from rats and mice. We are always on the lookout for lots of these. Plastic Buckets/Pales. Another item continually used daily. We use for storing other first aid items and liquids. Great for our daily feed mixing and water buckets. Food Grade, IBC 1000 Litre Plastic Pods. These are ideal for use in our paddocks and yards that don’t have water troughs and tanks in them. Plus, we also use in the fire seasons around different parts of the property to protect the donkeys and the donkeys’ assets from potential fires, when in the area. Scissors – Oh My Goodness – The amount of scissors we go through is crazy. From trimming up the donkeys’ manes, to cutting string on the hay bales, to opening bags of feed. The list is endless to their uses, around the farm. AND Boy!!! Do we go through them, and we are always breaking them or losing them – or they seem to continuously go for their own walkabouts !!! haha
Freezers – Chest Box or Standing. We store a lot of our first aid ice packs in the freezers for injuries and laminitis. We also store ice for and make up iced blocks in the hot summer months for the donkeys with a variety of herbs and vegetables in them. Perfect to help make summer treats for the donkeys. Fridges – We use fridges for storing much of our medicines and first aid. Also, our fruit and veges, we give to the donkeys, along with water for volunteers. Extra Large Plastic Butcher Bins – these are invaluable to the Sanctuary. Perfect for feeding straw to individual donkeys or to use as water troughs.
12v Fridge/Freezer (for travelling) – Needed for rescues, when travelling distances, to store medical supplies and water. Anything around the 30L upwards would be ideal. Also perfect for when GSDS are at Field Days and out and about, with functions and awareness of our Sanctuary. Wheelie Bins – Ideal for storing, excess feed (when donated or when we can afford to buy in bulk). Plus, perfect to store our rugs and blankets in, to protect from mice and rat damage. Towels – We continually use towels every day. For helping with washing donkeys, using in operations and first aid issues and general cleaning of anything and everything. Towels are a huge asset and daily use item. Washing Machines – used to wash our towels and donkey’s summer rugs. Ideally an large 10kg plus capacity that’s of industrial quality. However, any type of top loader washing machine would be most useful to the donkeys. Due to the constant use of using, we go through a lot of washing machines. Ideally, we would be chasing an industrial washing machine, but any top loader is desirable. Bottled Water – We must keep the hydration up to our volunteers and workers. And workplace health and safety, require us to supply water to workers and volunteers. This is an outlay; we continually must buy. Any help greatly appreciated for bottled water. Timber Sleepers – Used for yards, retaining walls, sheds and repairs and maintenance around the Sanctuary’s Property. Something we continually purchase for much needed works around the farm, to keep the donkeys safe. Industrial Sewing Machine – We have so many rugs that need repairs and while we do have a lovely local lady who does our major repairs, she’s also very highly sort after, so not always available. Most are very minor repairs, which we could easily do quickly, if we had our own industrial sewing machine. Something we would be grateful for. Plants – we are constantly after plants – native shrubs and trees are continually needed to rejuvenate the Sanctuary’s land and to help with native wildlife. Plus, to replace trees that have fallen from storms. We’re always chasing Lilly Pillies to help with the Sanctuary’s boundaries/windbreak/privacy screening. Any help here gratefully appreciated. Herbs – Another thing we continually use and go through are fresh herbs. We use a lot of these for medicinal purposes and while we try to grow them in our gardens, we do well for the first cut, then they seem to die. We generally use them for fly deterrents around the ICU and stables along with sprinkling cuts of the fresh herbs in the stable bedding to deter flies. A beautiful aroma of herbs is used and all natural. Herbs used are Lavender, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage to name a few. The more herbs we can have growing around the farm the better. Please ask our Manager for more details. Battery Operated Tools – EG RYOBI – We are always borrowing other people’s tooling. Drills, saws, anything imaginable. Since we have a couple of RYOBI items, we would be forever grateful for other RYOBI tools/tooling/machinery/batteries. Please feel free to ask our Manager for more details. Tools – Fencing tools, machinery tools, spanners, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers etc, all these tools we continue to borrow and sometimes, it’s not always possible to do so. Having our own, on the farm, would be ideal and beneficial to the Sanctuary. We would be very grateful. Stable / Gardening tools – We are also borrowing gardening tools off many people. Rakes, Spades, Shovels, hand tools, axes, shears etc. Not only to help with the gardening but with the stable cleaning as well
Brooms & Dustpan and brooms – we use these everywhere – and the little brushes from the dustpan sets are perfect to help clean out water troughs
Wheelbarrows – We are always after Wheelbarrows. From cleaning stables, to carting hay and feeds, to gardening and clearing and cleaning paddocks of rocks and sticks etc – and general moving items around the farm. The more wheelbarrows we have the better. We can never have enough of them. Trolley Trailers – Another very useful tool, like our wheelbarrows. From cleaning stables to carting hay and feeds. Along with paddock clearing and garden maintenance, and fence and shed maintenance. Another item we can never have enough of. Heavy Duty Garbage Bags – An everyday necessity. We go through a lot of heavy-duty garbage bags. The lighter ones, seem to not be viable and continually break. So, our outlay is purchasing a lot of the heavy duty or garden style garbage bags, to use for a huge variety of reasons. Paper Towels – An everyday necessity – While such a small item, this is a daily necessity. From cleaning up messes, drying hands to animal care and first aid, paper towels are an invaluable resource we use daily. Toilet Paper – This is also an everyday usage and I’m guessing there is no need for an explanation here LOL
Disinfectant – We go through tons of disinfectant for cleaning ICU areas, buckets etc after operations and first aid procedures and the list is endless. Another daily use and expense. Baby Wipes – unscented. Why do you ask? When we have our donkey maintenance days (pedicures, dental, grooming, worming etc), we use the wipes to clean around their faces, eyes, and ears. While only a small expense, it’s a huge need at the Sanctuary. We also tend to use in the ICU, for procedures and other small operations. ONE OFF PURCHASES
Gerni – used to wash the concrete areas of the ICU and to wash and sanitize winter and larger summer rugs. Also wash and sanitize donkeys fly veils. Perfect for washing many larger items, like horse floats and trailers etc. Industrial Vacuum Cleaner – urgently needed for vehicles and floats, along with office and some concrete areas around the ICU, where blowers and hoses and brooms are not viable. Industrial Blower – needed for around our ICU and concrete areas to keep our areas clean and prevent vermin from taking up residence and destroying feed and icu stock/items. Ideally one that is rechargeable so enable us to use on the field in our horse floats and back of Ute. Since we already have some RYOBI Gear, it would be great to have a RYOBI tool, to match the batteries we already have. Chainsaw – Especially after storms, we are constantly out and about checking fence lines and removing broken branches or fallen down trees. Chainsaws are a part of everyday jobs and we’re not always able to borrow them. Having one of our own would be so beneficial and a great asset to the donkeys for much needed work to be carried out. Horse Float – Our current float has aged considerably. Its over 20 years old, with a lot of rust throughout and it needs more repairs each time we use it, due to our unfavourable roads. We are looking at purchasing a new Horse Float to suit our needs for the donkeys. If you’re able to help with funding with this, we would be most grateful. Push Mower – Preferably an easy start one, self-propelled one, for our volunteers and workers, would be ideal, but we are happy with whatever we are donated. Please ask our manager for more details
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
1. Collect recyclables - (drink cans, plastic bottles or glass bottles that can be used at any TOMRA outlet) and you can either donate the recyclable bottles to us to take to Tomra or you can do this yourself and then donate the money to the donkeys. Either way, it’s a great way to help the donkeys.
2. Grants researcher, finder and then execute the application on our behalf. We just don’t have the manpower, knowledge, or time to do such an important task. With hundreds of grants available for all sorts of reasons, we are missing out on possible help for the donkeys. This is a huge task; we just can’t do and doesn’t need to be here. It can be anyone, who has some spare time, the knowledge to research and be able to do the application on our behalf, and you can be located, anywhere in Australia.
3. Gardener – Do you have some free time one day a week or fortnight and would like to help with maintaining our lawns, w**ding around the gardens of the driveway and help with our herbs, located around the sanctuary farm. We would love to have you on board, in the fresh air, surrounded by donkeys. There would be a variety of tasks you can do, to potter around, like: Lawn Mowing, Whipper Snipping, w**d removal, picking up sticks and rocks around the paddocks and generally helping to maintain the Sanctuary grounds. Your work is invaluable to us, and we would love to have you join our team. Please just ask the Manager for more details.
4. Do you have a truck? We are chasing someone to be able to go and collect ‘free’ bedding (wood shavings) from Glendale in Newcastle (Hudson’s Home Hardware) and deliver back to the Sanctuary farm. The guys at the hardware, are happy to donate the bedding to us, however, we don’t have the resources, time, and staff to generally go and get it on a regular basis. We would be looking at once or twice a month. It’s in bulky bulka bags, or if you have a tipper truck, it can easily be dumped straight into your truck and be placed at the Sanctuary Farm in a designated area. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated, and we also would be more than happy to advertise you and/or your business on our social media pages. Please ask the Manager for more details.
5. Electrician – We require a few jobs, here and there, to be done, with additional lighting, hot water for main ICU, power points etc. If you’re able to help with this, we would be most grateful.
6. Plumber – We require some work to be done around the farm, with sinks, a new septic system and plumbing around water tanks. If you’re able to help with this, we would be most grateful.
7. Donations – Monetary Donations – It costs us, more than $20,000 per month to run the Sanctuary. “The Donkeys Really Do Need Your Help.”. We have large animals to care for, therefore our costs are high. This includes our insurances, electricity, phones, internet, vet, farrier, dentist, feed, fuel, regos, wages, rates, repairs, and maintenance to 300 acres and sheds, along with machinery upkeep. Our list is endless. Due to recent years, donations are very poor, and expenses are very high, especially with the cost of living. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible and we are always grateful for your support for the donkeys. Please see our website for ways to donate to the Donkeys. www.donkeyrescue.org.au
8. Your Will - Have you considered listing the Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary in your will. If you would like to know how to do this, please contact our manager for more details. Thank you
9. Volunteers - General Volunteers to work on a roster – We are always requiring volunteers. From gardening, to cleaning and clearing paddocks to picking up stones and sticks to general cleaning and maintenance around the Sanctuary farm. There is lots to do. If you’re able to spare a day or two a fortnight or month, then we would like to hear from you. Please NOTE. You must be over 18 years of age (Due to our insurance), reliable and active. Please contact the Manager for more details.
10. Account Payments – We’ve have had in the past, supporters pay some of our accounts to our suppliers. This may be one whole invoice, or just paying any dollar figure amount you wish. Some of our supporters like to do this, as it’s a way they are helping the donkeys, by seeing where their money has been used. Please contact our manager for a list of suppliers.
11. In Memory of – In the event of a loved one passing, their wishes may be to donate to their favourite charity, instead of buying flowers. Please consider the donkeys. We can help arrange a “In Memory Of” Flyer for you to use. For more information, please contact our manager.
12. Money Tins – Do you have a shop, or work in retail. You may wish to have a money tin displayed on your counter with a QR Code attached. This helps the donkeys greatly and every cent counts and goes towards the donkey’s care and welfare at the Sanctuary Farm. Please contact our manager for more details.
13. Business Volunteer Days – Many big businesses and companies like to send their staff away for a day to volunteer at a local charity organisation. This is great team building and helps the charity. Please consider the Donkey Sanctuary for one of your days. You are guaranteed to have some fun and help the donkeys at the same time, as getting to know your peers. Thank you so much for taking the time to read all this valuable information. We hope you can help the donkeys in some way. For more information on anything you’ve read, please feel free to contact the manager, Sandy, on 0448 083 665. The Committee, The Team at GSDS Inc and all the Donkeys, thank you whole heartedly for your support. Without you, we wouldn’t be here. So, Thank you again.
