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Having been involved with donkey-related welfare issues in Spain since 1986, our first European rescue centre was opened 2003 and is based at Fuente de Piedra, a 45 minute drive north of Malaga.

El Refugio Del Burrito provides permanent refuge to any donkey or mule in need of sanctuary.

Formerly used for horses, the centre has 18 stables and 15 acres of irrigated land and is able to provide home to at least 100 donkeys and mules.

Shotguns and surging crowds for the Shrove Tuesday donkey

By Emma Gill - Posted on 21st February 2012
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Festival of Peropalo, 2012

This morning a donkey has once again endured cruelty at the hands of drunken crowds at a traditional Spanish festival, international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary has witnessed.

The Festival of Peropalo continues

By Emma Gill - Posted on 6th February 2012
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Villanueva 2010

The carnival of Peropalo takes place in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera on Shrove Tuesday each year. During the festivities, it is traditional for a donkey to be pulled through the very narrow cobbled streets of the village, ridden by an intoxicated rider and surrounded by a large crowd, some of whom fire shotguns.

Peropalo 2011

By Jenifer Tucker - Posted on 10th March 2011
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Villanueva 2011

The Donkey Sanctuary is saddened to report that today a donkey has once again been forced to endure torment and abuse in the carnival of Peropalo in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera.

Another donkey suffers for tradition

By Emma Gill - Posted on 8th March 2011
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Villanueva 2011

International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is saddened to report that today a donkey has once again been forced to endure torment and abuse in the carnival of Peropalo in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera.

Donkey Sanctuary continues to speak out against cruel traditions

By Emma Gill - Posted on 7th March 2011
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Villanueva

International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is continuing its stance against the annual festival which will take place in the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Vera on Tuesday 8 March 2011. Central to this tradition is the carnival of Peropalo where a donkey is forced to endure a physically and mentally cruel ordeal.