Belfast

Our Belfast sanctuary was closed to the public last year following the decision, after a period of consultation, to no longer offer Donkey Assisted Activities at the centre.

Like many charities, our costs are rising more quickly than our income and we face huge pressure from a growth in demand to support donkeys in need. Reopening the centre as a small sanctuary and rehoming centre means we can reduce our operating costs and continue to make the best use of our donors’ money so that together we can create a better world for donkeys.

Our Belfast sanctuary will reopen to the public on Saturday 28 June.

Following the reopening of our Belfast sanctuary as a small sanctuary and rehoming centre, we have reduced the number of open days and visiting times to allow for the smaller team to work within the sanctuary’s maximum capacity while still allowing for a personal experience for visitors.

Initially, booking will be available until the end of August. Tickets for September onwards will be available to book online one month in advance.

Yes! We have two donkeys available to adopt at our Belfast sanctuary. They are called Marko and Felicity. You can adopt them on our website.

Yes! You can visit both Felicity and Marko at our Belfast Sanctuary on our open days we have available. 

Please note that we do not bring adoption donkeys over to adopters individually as we respect the donkeys freedom of choice to move around their paddocks. If your adoption donkey is not in view, often they will appear as they move within their environment if you wait patiently. We thank you for your understanding that, with animals who have freedom of choice, not every donkey will be in view all the time.   

Pre booking is required.

There are no current plans for Marko or Felicity to be rehomed. They will remain at the sanctuary.

Due to the smaller size of our team that work at our Belfast sanctuary, the booking system allows us to work within the sanctuary maximum capacity while still allowing for a personal experience for visitors.

Booking and entrance into our Belfast sanctuary is free of charge. As our charity relies purely on the generosity of the public, you are more than welcome to make a donation at the time of booking or contribute a donation while you are visiting. 

Children five years and over will need to be included in the booking. Children under five do not require a booking. Children over the age of twelve can be booked as an adult.

If you are not able to join us for visit you have booked, please use the link in your confirmation email to cancel your booking. 

As you will appreciate, bookings to visit our donkeys are in high demand, so by cancelling a booking you cannot attend, you are freeing up this space for other supporters.   

You will need to provide proof of confirmation of your booking Please have your confirmation email on your phone ready to show a member of staff when you arrive, alternatively you can print your booking confirmation to bring with you.

If you are unable to book online you can book your slot by phoning our Belfast sanctuary on 028 9332 4647. We will provide you with instructions about how to verify your booking upon entry.

It is advisable to check the weather on the day you are visiting and come prepared (warm clothes in the winter months!). 

Wellies are not required, as our visitor areas are not muddy. Our Belfast sanctuary has an indoor visitor space if the weather is inclement. 

Our bookings provide a two hour time slot whichallows plenty of time for visitors to explore the site, see the donkeys and enjoy refreshments if they wish. 

We ask visitors to arrive no more than 15 minutes before or after their appointed time to allow for entrance and parking, and to leave promptly at the end of your appointment. 

Please aim to arrive no more than 15 minutes earlier than your appointed time slot. Our staff carry out several donkey welfare tasks in the morning, such as feeding, cleaning and health checks, so will not be able to let you in before your appointed time. 

We understand that everyone experiences delays. Please contact the Belfast sanctuary to let them know if you think you may be late for your appointment. 

We hope you understand that because our two hours time slot, we will not be able to extend your appointment. The gates to the site will be shut during your visit to ensure that capacity numbers are managed.

Please DO NOT feed the donkeys. Their diets are carefully managed by our staff to make sure they receive the appropriate food. This also includes hand-picked grass. 

You are welcome to bring a selection of donkey treats (please see the area of our website describing safe treats for donkeys here). Our staff will receive your kind food donation and incorporate it into the donkeys’ carefully controlled diets. 

If the donkeys come over to the fence where you are standing, then of course feel free to stroke them. Be aware that some donkeys can be shy about having their ears and facial area touched, but they often like to be stroked and scratched on their back and their shoulders. 

Please follow advice from the staff on site – they know the donkeys very well. Please make sure you wash your hands after interacting with any of the donkeys.