Devon Smallholders Remove Deadly Plant to Welcome Rehomed Donkeys
By Animals Correspondent
A pair of donkeys have found a home for life near Great Torrington in North Devon, after their new Guardians pulled out all the stops to rid their land of a poisonous plant.
When Harriet and her husband, Andy welcomed donkeys Bobby and Sasha to their smallholding in October 2025 through The Donkey Sanctuary's Rehoming Scheme, it marked the end of a long and challenging journey – one that included an unexpected brush with hemlock water dropwort, one of the UK's most poisonous plants.
Having grown up in Devon, Harriet had known about The Donkey Sanctuary since her childhood.
Over time, her desire to care for donkeys of her own grew stronger, and after discovering the Rehoming Scheme, she and Andy sold their Somerset home and bought a rural property back in Devon with a 2.5-acre field, in early 2024.
"Donkeys are often misunderstood and mistreated," says Harriet. "I wanted to do something to help them."
Following a visit by sanctuary welfare advisers in June 2024, there were a few jobs Harriet needed to do to make their home donkey ready, including enclosing the stable yard, putting up fencing around the sand area and installing a field shelter with hardstanding - all of which were completed over the summer.
All was going smoothly, until Harriet discovered a plant growing in the paddock that had been troubling her.
On consulting her childhood wildflower book it confirmed her worst fears. She'd found hemlock water dropwort, a toxic plant which is capable of causing severe symptoms, or even death, if consumed.
It was a complication that needed addressing before anything else could move forward.
Dressed in protective clothing, Harriet and Andy methodically cleared the field by hand, removing and destroying every one of the toxic plants they could find. Over the coming months they repeated the process and found significantly less, meaning they were winning in their battle to rid the land of hemlock water dropwort.
As the seeds only last four to five years, Harriet was confident that with continued annual effort the plant would eventually be fully eradicated from their land.
One of The Donkey Sanctuary’s Ecology Officers, Helen Cavilla visited alongside Donkey Welfare Adviser Sophie Foster to assess the situation.
Helen noted that the field's natural, uncultivated condition was actually a real asset, as it was home to a wide variety of meadow flowers and hedgerow plants that would provide excellent enrichment for the donkeys.
Following a review by The Donkey Sanctuary's experts, it was agreed that Harriet and Andy could continue on their rehoming journey – a decision Harriet described as "a massive relief".
Bobby and Sasha arrived in autumn 2025 with their new Donkey Welfare Adviser, Hannah Slator, on hand to welcome them.
"The moment I saw a pair of ears appear above the truck door, then a white muzzle sniffing the Devonshire air, it was magical," explained Harriet. "We had waited so long and faced so many challenges. A few tears were shed."
The donkeys settled in well, although nine-year-old Bobby initially needed more time and patience than twelve-year-old Sasha. But with Hannah's guidance, Harriet and her Andy took a calm, unhurried approach, and by mid-January Bobby had grown noticeably more confident and affectionate.
"They both love having their ears scratched and lower their noses right to the ground in pure pleasure," adds Harriet.
For Harriet and her Andy, the Rehoming Scheme proved the ideal way to fulfil a long-held dream. While they are responsible for day-to-day care and associated costs, the ongoing support from The Donkey Sanctuary – from training and welfare visits to the guidance of their local Donkey Welfare Adviser, has been invaluable.
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"Knowing that The Donkey Sanctuary is always there to offer guidance gives us real peace of mind," says Harriet. "The donkeys' wellbeing always comes first."
The Donkey Sanctuary runs a rehoming scheme that places suitable donkeys with Donkey Guardians in private homes throughout the UK.
The scheme helps to free up vital sanctuary space for donkeys most in need of ongoing care. Donkey Guardians are supported by a local Donkey Welfare Adviser, who are on hand to provide all the advice and training they need.
Could you follow in Harriet’s footsteps and offer a loving home to a pair of donkeys, or more? Find out how you could become a Donkey Guardian at World leaders in donkey welfare | The Donkey Sanctuary
