Last December, a donkey by the name of Christoforos, along with a companion, a white-nosed donkey named Fotis, made a five-day journey to the south of England on a special equine transport truck. Today, they live on an 11,000-acre estate called Angmering Park, owned by Anne Herries, the daughter of a late Duke of Norfolk.
The two donkeys wander green rolling fields during the day and dine on fresh hay and ginger snaps. They enjoy frequent tooth and hoof cleaning. At night, they sleep in a heated stable with a view of the English Channel.
At Lady Herries' estate, Christoforos and Fotis live with seven other donkeys saved from starvation or the slaughterhouse. There is room for about 40. But caretaker Fiona Burness said she feared crowding would cause the donkeys to lose out on the socialization and the individual attention.
Donkeys have always been considered to be hard workers in Greece. They still carry food and firewood fo many people without other transportation. Some haul tourists up steep steps in such vacations spots as Santorini and Rhodes.
Animal-rights groups say the animals are now being abandoned at a growing pace by Greek owners who can't afford them. The market for work donkeys has plummeted during the last few years.
The British, known for a sometimes eccentric love of animals, have a special affection for donkeys. Riding donkeys on the beach in coastal resorts like Blackpool and Brighton was once a highlight of British vacations.
The Donkey Sanctuary, based in Englands southwest region of Devon, funds a Greek rescue facility that costs about $60,000 a year to run.
Another U.K.-based charity, Greek Animal Rescue, raises funds each year with a portion earmarked for a donkey sanctuary on the island of Kos.
Some rescued donkeys are given some work to break up the day. At the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, donkeys give rides to emotionally-troubled children as therapy. Others make house calls to comfort the elderly.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has repeatedly rejected bailout help for Greece, but that hasn't stopped British citizens from organizing the rescue of Greek donkeys abandoned by crisis-hit owners who can't afford to feed them any more.
As with animal sanctuaries everywhere, British rescues can always use donations, and many are hoping that they will be able to continue to rescue unwanted and abandoned animals until the economy turns around and times are better for both donkeys and people.