The Donkey Sanctuary Logo

The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare and rescue charity transforming the quality of life for donkeys, mules and people worldwide.

About The Donkey Sanctuary


Tags:

For over 50 years, we have worked to transform the lives of donkeys across the world.

We are transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.

Donkeys have been a cornerstone in human existence and they still prop up entire communities today, ferrying water, food and crops. They are highly intelligent creatures, sociable and calm, capable of independent thinking and decision making. They are strong and won’t do something they consider unsafe, which makes them a great, trusted companion. Donkeys are, quite simply, amazing.

There are over 44 million donkeys worldwide and sadly so many are subjected to neglect and abuse, overworked and left in agony to die. This happens due to a lack of education, a lack of understanding of what good care looks like and the hardships of day to day life facing families and communities across the world. Many drive their donkeys into the grave simply out of a need to survive, to ensure their children and families are fed and sheltered. And when those families can no longer depend on their donkeys, more often than not its women, children and particularly girls who feel the impact most. Everyone’s lives are destroyed.

More recently we’ve seen the horrific impact of the illegal and unsustainable donkey skin trade. Donkeys across the world are being stolen from families that rely on them, slaughtered and skinned. All because the gelatine in their hide is a key ingredient in a traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao. With a growing middle class, demand for ejiao has sky rocketed and now its big business.

Here at The Donkey Sanctuary our work transforms lives. We provide lifesaving veterinary care, we train vets and we educate current and future donkey owners. We deliver donkey assisted therapy to support children and adults with special educational needs or those suffering from chronic illness. And, of course, we provide sanctuary to donkeys who have been neglected, abused and abandoned.

We depend entirely on your support. Help us transform the lives of donkeys and those who depend on them, here and across the world.

£10

Can help pay for feed packed full of essential nutrients aiding the recovery of rescued donkeys.

£20

Can help deliver first aid kits and training to donkey owners so suffering donkeys can receive vital treatments.

£50

Can help pay for the lifelong care of rescued donkeys, giving them safety and security for the rest of their lives.