Animals

Dandi the donkey finds his happy-ever-after best friend

Good News Post

Sep 11, 2026 — 2 min read

Dandi (white) and Tommy - credit The Donkey Sanctuary

By Animals Correspondent

A donkey rescued from an Essex property with more than 50 other animals has found a new lease of life – and a best friend.

Dandi was among the animals taken into RSPCA care in 2023 after concerns about their living conditions. The group included horses, chickens, ducks, a dog, guinea pigs, a tortoise and a marmoset.

When Dandi arrived at The Donkey Sanctuary, he was underweight and had spent his life without the company of other donkeys.

Three years on, the six-year-old has reached a healthy weight, been gelded and received training to help him become more comfortable with handling, including having his feet picked up for cleaning and visits from the farrier.

And, perhaps most importantly, he now has a close companion in Tommy, a five-year-old grey donkey who was also brought into the Sanctuary’s care after his owners could no longer meet his needs.

*Dandi (white) and Tommy - credit The Donkey Sanctuary*

The pair now spend their days together as part of a group of geldings, but it’s clear they have become particularly close.

“Dandi is doing great, he loves spending time with his new friend Tommy,” said Jess Bush, a Welfare Adviser at The Donkey Sanctuary.

“They are in a gelding group and happily mix with other geldings but they're certainly together as a bonded pair now.”

Dandi had previously been kept alone as a stallion, with little opportunity to socialise with other donkeys. The Sanctuary says companionship is important for donkeys, which are highly social animals.

Now, the charity hopes Dandi and Tommy will eventually be able to leave the Sanctuary together and start the next chapter of their lives in a permanent home.

“As both donkeys are still very young, we hope that when they are ready we will be able to find a suitable home for them as a pair on our Rehoming Scheme, where they can continue their training and journey in a loving home,” said Jess.

For Dandi, it’s a long way from the difficult circumstances he was rescued from – and he now has a friend by his side for the journey ahead.

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