Visitors to The Donkey Sanctuary in East Devon may be surprised to spot some of the resident donkeys wearing colorful leggings, loose-fitting trousers, and even pajama bottoms.
While the outfits might look amusing at first glance, they serve a very practical purpose.
The clothing helps protect the donkeys’ legs from painful bites caused by flies and other insects during the summer months.
A Simple Solution to a Seasonal Problem
Like many equine care organizations, The Donkey Sanctuary faces the annual challenge of keeping biting insects away from its animals.
Older donkeys are particularly vulnerable because they tend to move around less than younger animals, making them easier targets for persistent flies.
To reduce irritation, caregivers have spent the past several years adapting donated trousers, leggings, and pajama bottoms into protective leg coverings.
Each pair is carefully trimmed and adjusted to fit an individual donkey before being put to use.
Because the animals spend much of their time roaming around fields and paddocks, the clothing often becomes worn out and needs regular replacement.
A Creative Recycling Project Lends a Helping Hand
This summer, the sanctuary received an unexpected donation through a clothing recycling initiative at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
After learning that unwanted trousers and leggings could help protect the donkeys, university staff and students gathered suitable clothing from their reuse program and sent it to the sanctuary instead of throwing it away.
The project not only benefited the animals but also gave worn clothing a meaningful second life.
Clothing That Would Have Been Discarded
Anya Hart Dyke, Transition Project Officer at the University of St Andrews, said the idea immediately captured everyone’s attention.
“It tickled us pink to think of donkeys wearing leggings and pyjama bottoms to protect their legs from biting insects.
“We hate seeing any clothes go to waste, so we were delighted to find items that were too faded or worn to be reused by students. We’re always looking for new opportunities to keep clothes in use, so we were thrilled when The Donkey Sanctuary could make use of clothing that would otherwise have been incinerated.”
Protecting the Sanctuary’s Older Residents
According to Lisa Coles, one of the grooms at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm, the unusual legwear provides genuine relief for many of the animals.
“Every summer many donkeys in our resident herds face the irritation of biting flies. The older ones in our care seem to suffer the most because they are not as active as the younger donkeys, which is heartbreaking to see.”
Although the outfits may seem humorous, they significantly improve the comfort and welfare of the sanctuary’s residents.
A Proven Idea That Continues to Grow
The concept has already demonstrated its success in other parts of the organization.
Last year, The Donkey Sanctuary’s center in Italy appealed for donations of old socks to help protect donkeys from biting insects and received around 180 pairs from generous supporters.
Encouraged by those results, the charity is now expanding its efforts by collecting larger items of clothing that can be adapted into protective leg coverings.
The Sanctuary Is Asking for Donations
To help replenish supplies, The Donkey Sanctuary is inviting members of the public to donate unwanted:
- Loose-fitting trousers
- Leggings
- Pajama bottoms
- Maternity trousers
To fit donkeys of different sizes, the charity is requesting women’s clothing in size 16 or larger and men’s clothing in size large or bigger.
Donations can be dropped off at the sanctuary’s gift shop in Sidmouth during opening hours.
Fashion That Makes a Difference
Lisa Coles hopes the unusual sight of donkeys wearing colorful trousers inspires more people to support the initiative.
“We were delighted to receive the donation of snazzy leggings and trousers from St Andrews and would welcome any more.
“Even though the legwear may look a bit unusual at first glance, it really does make a difference to the welfare of our donkeys, and we hope others may be inspired to donate any suitable items we can use.”
What may look like an amusing fashion statement is actually a simple, creative solution that keeps vulnerable donkeys more comfortable throughout the summer—while giving unwanted clothing a valuable new purpose.