Gregory, a neglected donkey, has found safety and care at Rancho Relaxo, an animal sanctuary in New Jersey, US, following a year of isolation and mistreatment that left him physically and emotionally scarred.
Gregory’s ordeal came to light in October 2024, when a concerned neighbour alerted Rancho Relaxo about a donkey in distress. The animal had been left without food, water, or shelter, chained in a yard with no companionship. According to the neighbour, Gregory would cry out day and night, and he frequently escaped in search of food and companionship. Each time, authorities returned him to his owner, but no meaningful intervention followed.
When rescuers arrived, they found Gregory in a dire state. His halter, likely placed on him when he was young, had become embedded in his skin as he grew, causing severe pain and infection. He was malnourished and emotionally distraught from prolonged isolation. After discussions with his owner, Rancho Relaxo obtained permission to bring Gregory to their sanctuary.
The nonprofit, led by Caitlin Cimini, has a mission to rescue animals from abuse, neglect, and slaughter. Gregory’s case was a stark example of the systemic neglect many farm animals endure due to being considered commodities and forced to work. Despite his trauma, Gregory demonstrated remarkable resilience upon arrival at the sanctuary, showing a profound capacity for forgiveness.
Now recovering at Rancho Relaxo, Gregory has undergone medical treatment, including surgery to remove the embedded halter and gelding to improve his overall health. While adjusting to his new surroundings, he has formed a close bond with Blue, a rescued horse at the sanctuary. Their companionship has brought him visible comfort, though his journey to full recovery continues.
In an Instagram post on the 22nd of December, Cimini said, “Gregory has gotten so much better since the day he arrived here at Rancho Relaxo. It takes time and we give each animal who comes under our care all the time they need. For anyone who has asked when Gregory will be put in our mini horse pasture with his future herd, I don’t have an answer for you. He might end up staying with Blue in their own pasture! Maybe Blue will be his herd forever. Who knows? One day at a time.”
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