Socks attraction! Donkeys beat the flies with snazzy legwear

Rescued donkeys in Italy are sporting some super-snazzy striped legs because of supporters’ generosity after a social media marketing campaign.

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Italian base put out an attraction on social media for socks, asking individuals to ship them in to guard its residents’ legs from biting bugs over the summer time. And the response was “implausible”; 180 pairs have been despatched in, and supporters additionally donated €600 (£506) in the direction of the sanctuary’s work.

Fundraising officer Ilaria Ruzza, who posted the attraction, stated: “We wanted lengthy socks. It didn’t matter in the event that they have been new or used so long as they have been clear, in good situation and black or gray and white over-the-knee socks.”

Analysis has proven that stripes, reminiscent of on zebras’ coats, assist repel flies.

“Ilaria and her colleagues shared images of their donkeys sporting their eye-catching new socks, a lot to the delight of supporters, and thanked them for his or her generosity and kindness,” a spokesperson for The Donkey Sanctuary stated.

Il Rifugio degli Asinelli, the Italian arm of UK-based welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, is dwelling to over 100 donkeys, close to Turin.

“Now, because of the generosity of supporters, the resident herd can stay up for a extra stress-free autumn, protected within the data their fashionable new legwear will assist hold biting bugs at bay,” the spokesperson stated.

“And it’s not simply on the European mainland that such measures have taken place. It’s usually thought that every one the most effective fashions start in Italy, so it’s no surprise a number of donkeys nearer to dwelling have additionally been noticed sporting patterned leggings.

“Over the summer time, grooms at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon fitted a number of of the herd with leggings in an try and fight the irritation of biting bugs, and regardless of the arrival of September, a few of the UK donkeys are nonetheless having to cope with them.

“However now, with the assistance of sanctuary volunteers, employees are within the technique of designing leggings that may be connected to their fly rugs, so the donkeys who’re extra prone to the seasonal insect irritation could have whole fly safety, one thing that may little question be welcomed by the resident herds.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all elements of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.