Kind-hearted Abu Dhabi residents find a new home for wandering donkey ‘Shrek’

Residents of Al Ghadeer looked out for the donkey who now has a new home at the Dubai City Stable.

Shrek on the way to his new home at Dubai City Stable. Courtesy Mary Kraus Pachol

ABU DHABI // A donkey left wandering the desert for months has finally found a home, thanks to the kind-hearted residents of a nearby community.

Nobody was quite sure where Shrek, named by Al Ghadeer’s Community Facebook page, had come from but when animal volunteer and resident Mary Kraus Pachol heard about him she set up a feeding station and began to look for a home.

“Shrek had been wondering around the outskirts of the community for a while, being fed occasionally by workers,” Ms Pachol said.

He had a previous injury on one of his hind legs and he walked kind of funny, although he could still run. His hooves were in much need of trimming.”

Shrek received a generous donation of hay from Mandara Equestrian Club, while the residents of Al Ghadeer, a community between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, kept each other updated on his welfare on Facebook.

But concerns were raised when Shrek was discovered in the road one day, causing a danger to himself and vehicles, and he was later seen hungrily chewing on rubbish.

Ms Pachol’s daughter Charlotte, 11, spent a lot of time with Shrek, ensuring that when somewhere had been found for him it wouldn’t be too much trouble to move him.

Ms Pachol said that “moving a donkey can be a lot more trouble than you would think”.

Charlotte slowly gained his trust until she was able to touch him and eventually put her arms around his neck.

Al Ghadeer resident Katrina Jane Welch and others found a space for Shrek at the Dubai City Stable, which has agreed to look after him.

Regina Potapova, an Al Ghadeer resident who also visted Shrek, was happy to hear the news of his new home.

“I was worried that he might be hit by a car or he was starving,” Ms Potapova said. “He was walking alone and was so scared. I felt really sorry for the poor animal.

“Thanks to all our neighbours who looked after and fed Shrek. I’m so happy this beautiful donkey finally found a new home.”

Shrek will now be part of an educational programme for children visiting the stables.