Help donkeys, cats & other animals on Hvar Island

Our precious donkey family on Hvar Island in Croatia was founded in 2013 when yoga teacher Jana Appleyard came across a sweet donkey called Pano and adopted him after learning that his owners planned to kill him for meat. Although donkeys have traditionally been valued working animals in Croatia, they are often not treated with respect or love. Over the next ten years Pano has been joined by Lily Rose, Lula, Paca, Juliet, Mathilda - and Zena the pony – who all needed a loving, caring home. In December 2022 Jana found a pregnant donkey living in a muddy field, tethered to a wooden post. She had been neglected and ignored, was very weak and had sore feet. With the owner’s consent, Jana brought her home, named her Lady Penelope and cared for her over the winter, nurturing her into health. In April Lady Penelope gave birth to the beautiful baby Daphne: mother and daughter were happy and thriving. However, in May, very sadly, they were taken back by their owners who have now tied Lady Penelope to a tree and leave her there for the amusement of tourists. Not only is it illegal in Croatia to keep a donkey permanently tethered, but there’s no shelter for her and Daphne and it’s been extremely hot and sunny in Hvar this Summer. This is also not the only example of donkeys being exploited for tourism on the island.

Jana is hoping to adopt Lady Penelope and Daphne so they can continue to enjoy a happy and carefree life with the other donkeys. Meanwhile, our unique animal family consists of six donkeys, Zena the pony (who thinks she’s a donkey) and now 16 cats having had an addition of two rescue kittens in July this year. It is Jana’s passion to save these wonderful animals who have no one else and she has dedicated herself to giving them the best possible life. She works hard to care for them with very limited resources, and does as much as she can herself. With Lucy the neurologically disabled and blind cat, the new kittens who need to be properly vaccinated and one of which has lost an eye, and the donkeys and pony who need urgent dental and hoof care, from time-to-time Jana needs help.

In addition to the many vet bills, medication, animal care, and food, the structures on the property that store the hay for the equines to get them through the winter are also in need of urgent repair. As one can imagine, these are all large financial costs and we hope to raise money to aid in these expenses so that all of these wonderful animals, and any future additions, can continue living their best life here on Hvar with Jana.

Jana and her entire animal family are grateful for any help that you can give!

You can find out more about the donkeys, and also about Jana and her yoga practice here:

http://donkeysaregreat.com

https://www.facebook.com/yogadonkeyscatsandmore

https://yogadonkeyscatsandmore.com/teacher/

https://www.instagram.com/yoga.donkeys.cats.and.more/?hl=en

http://www.eco-hvar.com/en/about-animals/299-donkeys-horses-lessons-in-patience

https://artschaplaincy.net/projects/jana-appleyard/