He to write about wine, food and rural life, she to design a home and garden in a remote village. Today they have a 7-day week looking after more than 100 donkeys and coping with thousands of visitors, mostly British, who are totally essential to the survival of their animal sanctuary. Part of the main site, which accommodates 70 donkeys showing stable units and exercise yards. Building at this site only started in June 1996, when the first unit was prepared for the arrival of donkeys from a closed sanctuary in Crete. The sanctuary is entirely dependent upon private donations and income from visitors, mostly British residents and their families, and tourists from Britain and other countries.
Volunteers help care for, feed, and walk donkeys.
The residents are always pleased to see a visitor, especially those with carrots. All animals are elderly, frail or simply unwanted, but they form part of a rapidly disappearing part of the heritage of Cyprus. From a small private endeavour run by the Skinners, with some help from friends, has developed a growingly efficient animal care organisation with full-time carers, a rota of volunteers, weekly farriery sessions and consultant veterinarians. A service of advice, medical and foot care is also offered to owners of donkeys not in the Vouni sanctuary. There are a number of generous donors and we also have as many as a thousand visitors a month, who help us financially and buy merchandise from our shop, which has a growing range of good quality products for gifts.