The Gentle Donkey Who Found Peace in Amorgos
Some stories are difficult to tell, and this is one of them.
Napoleon, a gentle and resilient donkey, came to the Animal Zone International equine shelter in June 2022 by order of the local police. His rescue was urgent: his legs had been tied together, the rope cutting so deeply into one that it left a severe, infected wound swarming with flies.
Every step was painful, but his eyes still carried a quiet strength.
From Suffering to Safety
At our shelter in Amorgos, Greece, we treated Napoleon’s wounds and, for the first time in years, he lived free from ropes and fear.
He became part of our family: gentle, patient, and strong. His days were finally filled with fresh air, soft voices, and the care he had always deserved.
For nearly three years, Napoleon enjoyed a life of dignity: plenty of food, open space to roam, and the compassion of those who loved him.
A Peaceful Goodbye
In recent weeks, age began to catch up with him. He lost weight, and the old injury in his leg worsened until he could no longer stand without help. Despite every effort from our team, his very old heart gave out quietly one dawn.
Napoleon is gone, but his spirit will forever remain with us — a reminder of resilience, the quiet strength of survival, and the dignity every animal deserves.
Napoleon
Why Napoleon’s Story Matters
Napoleon’s story is not unique. On the island of Amorgos and across Greece, working animals often endure neglect, injury, and abuse.
Some are rescued, treated, and rehomed. Others, like Napoleon, spend their final years in the safety of our shelter — surrounded by kindness instead of cruelty.
These rescues are only possible because of your support. Without donors, there would have been no safe place for Napoleon to heal, no gentle hands to comfort him, and no final chapter of peace.
Help Us Write More Peaceful Endings
Your donation today can:
Rescue and treat injured working animals like donkeys and mules
Provide lifelong shelter for animals that cannot be rehomed
Fund legal and community action to prevent abuse and neglect
Every soul matters, from their first breath to their last.
💚 Click here to donate and give animals like Napoleon the life they deserve 💚