Staff at the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital at the international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth will feature on the CBBC show 'The Pets Factor' this Friday, July 19.

The show will be aired at 9.05am and repeated later in the day at 4.35pm.

James Greenwood, one of the show's professional vets visited The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon earlier this year, where he rolled up his sleeves and donned his surgical gown and assisted veterinary staff in performing castrate operations on three colts named Ben, Moshi and Casey.

The popular children's show presented by Stacey Dooley, gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best and most animal-friendly vet practices in the UK. It follows James and fellow vet presenters Cat, Rory and Cheryl as they help care for the animals at the practices they visit.

For one of The Donkey Sanctuary's Veterinary Surgeons, Karen Pickering, the visit was even more memorable, as she and James both studied Veterinary Science at Bristol University together.

The routine operations went smoothly with James ably assisting Veterinary Surgeons Karen Pickering, Vicky Grove and Rebecca Sullivan directly with the procedures. Ben, Moshi and Casey all recovered well from the procedures and have joined the herd at The Donkey Sanctuary's Brookfield farm near Honiton.

The charity has a no-breeding policy and all stallions at the sanctuary are routinely castrated. The colts were born into the care of the charity after their mums were relinquished to The Donkey Sanctuary.

In 2019 The Donkey Sanctuary celebrates its 50th anniversary. This milestone is an opportunity to both look back on the charity's landmark achievements and take stock of the massive challenges in a world where the suffering of animals remains abhorrent.

Since its foundation by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen in 1969, The Donkey Sanctuary has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect and abuse, to an international welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them for a living.

If you would like to find out more about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, click the red button below.