Spain

The Donkey Sanctuary working in Spain

Having been involved with donkey-related welfare issues in Spain since 1986, the Donkey Sanctuary is delighted to open its very first European rescue centre in Fuente de Piedra, a 45-minute drive north of Malaga.

Called El Refugio Del Burrito, its primary aim is to provide permanent refuge to any donkey or mule in need of sanctuary. Formerly used for horses, the property has 18 stables and 15-acres of irrigated land. When fully renovated, it will be able to provide home to at least 100 donkeys and mules.

It is being run by Director of European Operations, Paul Svendsen, the son of Dr Elisabeth Svendsen who founded the Donkey Sanctuary in 1969. He has been encouraged by the good response from the Spanish authorities and believes it is the right time to start working in Spain.

"I believe animal welfare in Spain is beginning to improve. We saw legislation introduced in 2003 enforcing the protection of animals used during festivals in the region of Extremadura. With El Refugio Del Burrito registered as a Spanish association we can now lobby for further improvements in legislation for donkeys and mules throughout the country.

We are now facing the problem that traditional working donkeys and mules are slowly being replaced by machinery. As a result, we receive more and more complaints about donkeys abandoned, with badly neglected hooves or being cruelly treated. The Sanctuary in the United Kingdom and Ireland has rescued so many donkeys - over 11,000 to date. In Spain the work has only just begun. According to the latest figures, there are an estimated 140,000 donkeys and mules in Spain."

Currently, El Refugio Del Burrito has 68 donkeys and mules in its care.  Every donkey arriving at the rescue centre is granted a life of loving, expert care and attention.

Click here to find out about some of our Spanish donkeys.

El Refugio Del Burrito relies entirely on donations and offers free admission to its visitors. An adopt-a-donkey scheme has been set up to help towards of the costs of the centre, and local volunteers are welcomed.

To find out more, please contact Paul Svendsen:

El Refugio Del Burrito
Apartado 25
29520 Fuente De Piedra
Malaga
Spain

Telephone: (00 34) 952 735 513

Email:

Website: www.elrefugiodelburrito.com