A day in the life at our Spain sanctuary

For Rosa Chaparro, joining The Donkey Sanctuary over eight years ago didn’t just feel like starting a new job - it felt like the moment all her puzzle pieces finally fell into place.

As Communications and Fundraising Manager at El Refugio del Burrito, our sanctuary in Spain, Rosa’s role combines her longstanding commitment to animal welfare with her background in international development. Her drive to make a difference - for both people and animals - has shaped every chapter of her journey.

“While studying in England, I volunteered with the RSPCA as both a foster carer and a campaigner, and it was through that experience that I first learned about the incredible work being done by The Donkey Sanctuary.”

“After three years working on child poverty in some of London’s most deprived areas with the charity Magic Breakfast, I began to feel a strong pull toward combining my professional background in development with my personal passion for animal welfare. That’s when I started looking into roles in animal charities.”

“While exploring opportunities with The Donkey Sanctuary, I came across a role as Fundraiser Officer based in Don Rosa, Spain. It felt like the perfect fit - bringing together my dedication to animal welfare, my background in development, and the chance to return to my home country after eight years abroad. It truly felt like coming full circle.”

Inside El Refugio del Burrito

Every day brings a new challenge for Rosa, causing her to think creatively and tackle the issues faced by donkeys in Spain head-on. From developing fresh approaches to raising funds for donkeys in need to capturing every moment of the sanctuary’s work, Rosa thrives on the variety her role brings. The best part? Being right in the thick of it, where the donkeys are - and where she feels most at home.

Giving donkeys a voice

However, Rosa’s work reaches far further afield than the peaceful grounds of the El Refugio del Burrito sanctuary.

“Another challenge is addressing the deep-rooted and often complex welfare issues that donkeys face in Spain. These are not problems that can be solved overnight, so it requires persistence, creative thinking, and a long-term approach. Whether it’s raising awareness in hard-to-reach communities, building trust with local stakeholders, or advocating for stronger policies at a national level, progress often happens in small steps - but every step matters.”

Improving donkey welfare in Spain is a cross-sector operation and, for Rosa, “navigating that space takes diplomacy, empathy and a clear, evidence-based approach.” But, knowing that her efforts are helping to create lasting change makes it all worthwhile.

“One of the main challenges in my role is balancing the many different elements of the job - while that variety is something I truly enjoy, it also requires strong time management and the ability to shift gears quickly without losing focus or control.”

Such as a film crew arriving at the sanctuary…

“Any day where I feel like I’ve helped solve a challenge, brought people together around a shared goal, or pushed a project forward in a meaningful way - that’s a great day for me.”

Rooted in what matters most

For Rosa, her passion for donkeys is more than just a job - it’s her guiding principle.

“Donkeys are incredibly strong, both physically and emotionally, yet they’re often underestimated or misunderstood. The more time I spend with them, the more I appreciate their unique personalities, calm presence and quiet strength. They have this way of grounding you, reminding you to slow down and be fully present.”

“They remind me why this work matters, and how much these animals have to teach us about resilience, trust, and quiet courage.”