The Donkeys of L'Autre Ferme

Taline and Sprinkle, Crumble and Snoopkin, arrived at L’Autre Ferme one night in May 2025.

They had escaped a cruel fate. Used to carry heavy loads in many countries—ranging from small-scale farming to serving unscrupulous tourists—they are often abandoned once they are no longer useful, or sold (and sometimes stolen) to be shipped to China, where their hides are used in traditional medicine, cosmetics, and even food products.

This trade is extensively documented by reliable, credible sources that can easily be found online. In Israel, an independent organization has been coming to their aid for years; they rescue stray or sick animals, provide medical care, and campaign to end this trade. Due to a lack of space and the extremely high cost of hay, the group “Starting Over” organizes flights to relocate these donkeys to countries where the trade is banned and where they will be completely safe.

Upon their arrival, the bodies of Taline and Crumble bore numerous scars from heavy loads and, at times, blows. They retain certain reflexes from their years of misery—such as eating dirt in an attempt to extract roots—a lingering habit from years spent tethered without food.
Sprinkle is Crumble’s son; he was weak and listless when he was taken in alongside his young mother.
Snoopkin is Taline’s son. He was lucky enough to be born at Starting Over and has never known violence. He is the most daring of our little group, having never had cause to fear anyone. He is a great help to the others…