Starting Over Sanctuary

Starting Over Sanctuary We are a non-profit animal sanctuary located in Israel, we rescue and rehabilitate donkeys and horses which undergo cruelty and abuse.

Over 1,700 animals residing the shelter, 1,000 of them are donkeys. Please join us in our efforts to save them.

02/09/2026

We named him Jaguar 🫏

Here is the update we promised you about little Jaguar, who arrived at our sanctuary two days ago.

Beyond his injured leg, he is suffering from severe, fresh rope burn marks and deep scarring around his neck. On top of that, we discovered he is blind in one eye.

The damage caused by the ropes he was tied with is heartbreaking. The injury and infection go right down to the bone. The good news is that there is still blood flow to his hoof, and we are remaining optimistic and keeping our fingers crossed that we can save it!

Jaguar is a sweet, friendly donkey full of charm - we saw that right away. Thankfully, he already understands that he has reached a safe and loving place.

His road to recovery is going to be long, involving complex medical procedures, extensive treatments, and a world of patience. We are doing - and will continue to do - everything in our power to spare him pain and help him heal. However, the veterinary costs are extremely high, and we cannot do this without your help. Please, no donation is too small.

To donate toward Jaguar’s medical treatment, and rehabilitation >> www.startingover.org.il/donation

Please give what you can and share his story!
Thank you 🙏

01/09/2026

Who would have believed that donkeys who worked hard all their lives, who experienced neglect and severe abuse, would ultimately end up living in a paradise like this - full of peace, freedom, and vast green spaces? And all of this is thanks to you, and only thanks to you! Thank you 🙏

So a bit delayed, but here is another video we shot at the amazing Eselrettung Österreich shelter we visited last week, in austria. 15 of our donkeys have already arrived there, and our collaboration with this organization will continue. An incredible place where donkeys can simply be donkeys and live their lives in peace and tranquility. Watch and see for yourself!🩵

31/08/2026

They tied him by his leg and worked him to exhaustion, until his body simply gave out. The damage to the joint above his hoof is severe. 💔

He arrived to the sanctuary now (watch his arrival video) and we are already doing everything in our power to save his leg, but the medical tests, treatments, and months of rehabilitation ahead will be extremely costly.

Our financial situation is critical, but we refuse to turn away any donkey in need. We fight for every single one of them, giving them everything we’ve got so they can finally know safety and happiness.

We cannot do this without you. We urgently need your help to cover his life-saving medical care. Please give whatever you can - every single dollar makes a world of difference for this sweet little donkey.

👉 To make a donation: www.startingover.org.il/donation

Please donate and share this post widely! Thank you🙏

27/08/2026

One of the most heartwarming partnerships we've built during these challenging times is with Eselrettung Österreich (Donkey Rescue Austria).

This incredible organization was founded by Ulrich Kettner - a truly extraordinary soul with a deep, boundless love for donkeys. After learning about our work and witnessing the harsh reality these gentle animals face, Ulrich didn't hesitate. He stepped up with open arms and pledged to give 15 of our donkeys a fresh start. We are so proud and joyful to call him a true partner on this journey.

This past Monday, after a long and complex journey, that dream became reality: all 15 donkeys arrived safely at their new home, in Leoben, Austria. Yesterday, we had the privilege of visiting them, seeing their beautiful new home, and spending time with Ulrich and his devoted team. We are profoundly grateful to Ulrich and every single member of this amazing organization for their immense compassion, dedication, and tireless hard work.
Their generosity has given these donkeys a second chance at a peaceful, loved life, and we deeply hope this inspiring collaboration is just the beginning.

Thank you dear Ulrich and dear team of Eselrettung Österreich ❤

Watch the video and see the magic for yourself! 🩵🫏

26/08/2026

Two days ago, we visited TierGarten Oppenheim, a farm in southern Germany that opened its heart and gates to four of our donkeys. We were so excited to drop by, check on the donkeys, and say hello (and of course, give them a few hugs and pets along the way).

There was so much excitement on both sides! It was simply wonderful to see them happy, healthy, and cared for with so much love ❤

Thank you so much to Tiergarten Oppenheim for the warm hospitality, and for giving our donkeys (and other animals) such a good and special home! 🙏

25/08/2026

There is no end to the horrors 😔

Years of hard labor and plow marks across her body were not enough. Someone decided to pour some kind of chemical on this unfortunate female donkey's face, destroying her eyes. She is completely blind.

We told ourselves we had already seen it all, but you can never truly get used to these horrors. How much more of this evil can we witness? How can we continue to accept such deliberate, cruel harm inflicted on these pure and delicate creatures? 💔

This evening, through tremendous effort, we managed to rescue her. She is on her way now to our sanctuary and is expected to arrive soon. We will wrap her in love, of course, but the road to recovery will be very vety long.

Please stand with us and help us give this gentle soul everything she needs.

Thank you 🙏

To donate for her care >> www.startingover.org.il/donation

25/08/2026

***UPDATE: To our immense regret, the donkey did not even survive the journey to the hospital. We are so sorry we couldn't reach you in time. Thank you to everyone who donated and wished to support this poor donkey. It seems he didn't stand a chance against the cruelty he experienced. We are sorry, little donkey.***

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We need you! 🙏

Look at this miserable donkey. He has suffered severe and cruel abuse. Children rode him and beat him mercilessly - until he simply collapsed. And as if that weren't enough, his leg was bound with a rope that tightened to the point of tearing his skin completely.

It appears his tendon is also torn, and the leg suffers from a severe infection that could be life-threatening. On top of all these injuries, he is clearly in a state of terrible malnutrition, and it is a pure miracle that he is still alive.

Fortunately, a kind father and his children found him in this extreme condition. They didn't turn a blind eye. They brought him into their home and contacted us immediately to save his life.

Now he needs urgent veterinary care, dressings, antibiotics, surgery/rehabilitation for his leg, and a specialized diet to bring him back to life. We have no intention of giving up on him, but we truly need your support to make this happen.

Every single dollar helps and saves lives. No donation is too small.

Please share this post so we can cover the costs of his medical treatment!

To donate for him >> www.startingover.org.il/donation

Thank you! 🙏

24/08/2026

**Update: Unfortunately, the donkey didn't make it. His liver was damaged, his kidneys were severely affected, and the vets had to put him to sleep. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported.**

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WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP! 🚨

He was beaten and pushed past the point of total exhaustion. When he collapsed, he was simply abandoned in the middle of a field near Ramla - injured, severely dehydrated, and unable to stand. He is covered in new and old bruises across his entire body, and his labored breathing reveals the agonizing pain he is enduring right now. He is suffering immensely, and we CANNOT turn our backs on him.

We have launched an emergency rescue team to rush him directly to the veterinary hospital so doctors can fight to save him.

WE CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.

Our debts are piling up relentlessly, and we have zero funds left to cover the critical tests and lifesaving treatment this poor donkey desperately needs.

PLEASE, SHARE THIS NOW AND DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN! Every single dollar counts and means the difference between life and death.

Donate to save him today>> www.startingover.org.il/donation
We will update you on his condition as soon as possible.
Thank you 🙏

24/08/2026

Dear friends and supporters,

We are thrilled to share that flight number 16 (!) took off yesterday with 54 more donkeys on board who will get - thanks to you - to live amazing lives in the absolute best sanctuaries in Europe, complete with friends, green open spaces, and everything they could ever dream of 💚

We landed yesterday in Liège, Belgium, and from there the donkeys travelled to wonderful sanctuaries in France, Germany, and for the first time ever - Austria! With this flight, we have crossed the milestone of over 800 rescue donkeys (828, to be precise) flown to Europe in the past 4 years - thanks to you! 🩵

Want to keep receiving updates from the donkeys' journeys? Follow us and we will keep you posted! Thank you! Simply thank you! ❤️

We named him Buddy.Two days ago, he arrived at our sanctuary gates after ropes had been tied around his tiny body. Short...
15/08/2026

We named him Buddy.

Two days ago, he arrived at our sanctuary gates after ropes had been tied around his tiny body. Shortly after he was born, as he grew, the ropes dug deep into his skin, causing severe cuts and lacerations. One rope in particular put his life in immediate danger - it was tied tightly around his abdomen, cutting into his intestine.

Recognizing the critical nature of his injuries right away, we rushed him urgently to the veterinary hospital. The medical team was horrified and immediately took him into emergency surgery, hoping it wasn't already too late.

Necrosis had already set in around the affected area, which was infested with maggots that had entered the abdominal cavity, along with intestinal contents. The surgeons had no choice but to resect the decayed portion of the intestine and remove the surrounding necrotic tissue.

Little Buddy is only two months old, and he is already fighting for his life. The infection in his abdominal cavity is severe, and the hospital staff is fighting tirelessly to overcome it. In the meantime, he is receiving IV fluids, antibiotics, pain management, abdominal flushes through surgical drains, and is fitted with a urinary catheter.

Buddy may be small and delicate, but he is a true fighter! One can only try to imagine the immense pain he has endured since the day he was born.

Dear friends, his hospitalization will be long, and the road to recovery will take weeks. Saving a life like this comes with a high price tag due to the severity of his injuries… and we need your support.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated for him so far to make his surgery possible. He still has a long journey ahead, and he needs you. We promise to keep you updated and ensure he receives all the care he requires.

Please stand with us for Buddy. 🙏

To donate towards saving little Buddy's life:
https://www.startingover.org.il/donation

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