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Donkey Sanctuary Information Sheet

Science - Ourselves

Information Sheet No. 5 – Donkey Sanctuary success with beach donkeys

It is believed there are almost 950 donkeys working on Britain’s beaches each year and the Donkey Sanctuary’s aim is to ensure these donkeys are cared for and are fit to carry out the work expected of them.

Each year, at the start of the holiday season, the event of ‘re-licensing’ takes place, whereby beach donkey operators must obtain a licence from their council for each donkey working on the beach.  This is a legal requirement under the laws of the Riding Establishment Acts 1964 and 1970.

To obtain this licence, operators have to pay a fee, produce a certificate of insurance and, most importantly, provide veterinary certificates proving that each donkey is fit to work. 

An ID scheme was established in 1991, when the Donkey Sanctuary recognised there was a weakness in the re-licensing system, whereby some donkeys, which had never been seen by a veterinary surgeon, were being worked on the beaches.  The scheme involves identifying each donkey at the time of re-licensing by way of a painless hoof brand, marking an ID number or by micro-chipping the donkey.  This ID is only given once the donkey has been passed fit to work by the veterinary surgeon and looked over by a Donkey Sanctuary Welfare Officer (there are 60 + welfare officers throughout the UK).

• The scheme ensures and promotes fit and healthy working beach donkeys.
• Enables easy identification.
• Builds an excellent working relationship between beach operators, councils and the Donkey Sanctuary.
• Reassures the public of the high standard of donkey care given by the operators.
• Often attracts positive media coverage.