World leaders in donkey welfare
Over the last 50 years we have grown to be world leaders in donkey welfare. We discover and share all the great things that happen when you nurture the relationship between donkeys and humans.
Who We Are
Donkey experts
We are the world authority on donkey welfare. We share our knowledge and learn from others.
Powerful partners
We deliver a positive impact for as many donkeys as possible by working with local experts to achieve mutual goals.
Welfare champions
We stand up for donkeys. We challenge neglect and abuse. We celebrate and promote excellence.
What we do
We promote donkey welfare, using our expertise to change the world for donkeys and the communities who live alongside them.
Our mission
Improving the lives of donkeys every day.
Our Vision
A world where every donkey has a good quality of life.
What We're Working On
GIVE RELIEF TO SUFFERING DONKEYS
Right now donkeys are enduring terrible suffering. But you can help.
Pledge a regular gift today, safe in the knowledge that your generosity is making a real difference. Thanks to the compassion of our supporters, donkeys live better lives right around the world. But there is still much to do - please give what you can today.
Whilst every penny is vital, please only give what you can afford.
Our Impact in 2023
Donate now
Donate now
£10 a month can help deliver first aid kits and training to donkey owners.
£6 a month can help us rescue donkeys from suffering and neglect when they are most in need.
£4 a month can help pay for bandages and dressings to ease painful wounds and sores.
Resource Hub
African horse sickness is a deadly disease that originates in Africa and can spread to other countries. It can infect all equids.
African horse sickness is a deadly disease that originates in Africa and can spread to other countries. It can infect all equids.
As a donkey owner, you need to be prepared for the cold winter months. Winter care is about helping your donkey to cope with lower temperatures and to stay healthy during bad weather.
Donkeys require specialist feeding, they are not a small horse and should not be fed as such. They require fewer calories to maintain weight than a pony of the same size, and enjoy trickle feeding on highly fibrous feeds.
Is your donkey is a fussy eater, feeling under the weather, needs treats for training or encouragement to eat or drink in extreme weathers? We’ve put together some handy tips to help entice your donkey to eat and drink with these feeding ideas.
Offering your donkeys access to safe trees and shrubs is a great way of supplementing their diet with fibre as well as providing mental stimulation.
The Donkey Sanctuary has produced this guide to help with stable measurements for your donkeys, find out the optimum stable sizes and layouts to ensure your donkeys' safety and well-being.
Find all the guidance you need on caring for your donkey across the year. We have information on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly routines.
This course covers areas that are high priority for donkey welfare, due to the morbidity and mortality of the conditions addressed.
This course covers areas that are high priority for donkey welfare, due to the morbidity and mortality of the conditions addressed.
This factsheet highlights some of the important points to remember when carrying out procedures on the donkey and how they differ from the horse and pony.
Stallion-like behaviour can occur in donkey geldings, especially if castration was delayed until the donkey was mature.
Discover the essential biochemical and haematological parameters for adult donkeys, crucial for their health and well-being.
Decisions surrounding euthanasia are largely based on an animal still having an acceptable ‘quality of life’. A good quality of life is something that we want for all (animals) donkeys, it means a life free from pain and discomfort that is enriching and enjoyable.
Endoparasite prevalence, control and clinical relevance in donkeys can often cause confusion and concern to vets and owners alike.
Donkeys have very different nutritional requirements to horses and ponies and these should be considered in the hospital situation and during recovery:
Latest News
To mark the UN's International Day for Rural Women (15 October), we look to our collaborative project with Women and Land Zimbabwe, where we are working with women to improve the welfare of their working donkeys.
Learn about the research we carried out and supported in 2023 and the difference it has made to the lives of donkeys and their hybrids.
We welcome news that the African Union has called for urgent action to prioritise the ban on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins, in a letter to member states.
We’re incredibly saddened to share the news that Timothy, one of our much-loved adoption donkeys, has passed away at the age of 25.
Well thought out autumn and winter care is essential as the colder months arrive. Here are our top tips to introduce autumnal enrichment to your donkeys.
A donkey at our biggest farm in Cork underwent successful surgery to remove her left eye earlier this year.
A donkey who battled back from multiple procedures on invasive tumours has been recognised for his bravery.
To mark World Rabies Day (28 September), efforts to combat this devastating disease have ramped up in Kenya and Mexico thanks to lifesaving vaccination programmes.
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Other Ways To Donate
Meet our adoption donkeys
Percy the Poitou is our largest adoption donkey. His distinctive long, thick coat makes him stand out from the crowd.
A sweet, calm donkey enjoying his golden years and always putting others before himself.
A charming chap, who despite losing an eye still has a big personality and a radar for fun.
Drizzle is a laid-back and popular member of her herd. Her gorgeous coat makes her easy to spot.
