Celebrate world donkey day
Celebrated each year on 8 May, World Donkey Day is a global moment that helps to raise awareness, spark action, and support sustainable solutions to protect donkeys’ welfare and dignity.
World Donkey Day was founded by Dr Abdul Raziq Kakar in 2010, helping to build a better world for donkeys by recognising them as among the most hardworking and underappreciated animals on the planet.
At The Donkey Sanctuary, we are committed to creating a better world for donkeys, where every donkey has access to the right food, water and shelter.
Celebrate World Donkey Day with a free donkey wallpaper
We invite you to help us spread the word about the important roles donkeys play across the world by downloading one of our free wallpapers and adding it to your device of choice.
Wallpaper one: Rosie and Kai the foal at Slade House Farm
Wallpaper two: Abu at El Refugio del Burrito.
World donkey day around the globe
Honouring the role of donkeys in Afghanistan
To celebrate World Donkey Day 2025 in Afghanistan, The Donkey Sanctuary supported a heartfelt community event in Hakai Matak village, Bamyan Province, aimed at honouring the vital role donkeys play in rural life here.
Organised by our partner in this region, humanitarian non-profit Dutch Committee for Afghanistan, the event brought together donkey owners, children, community leaders, and local authorities to raise awareness about donkey welfare and responsible ownership. Over 200 people - including men, women and children - took part in donkey care training, which covers topics such as feeding, watering, and living conditions.
Many more owners were reached through community messaging and media, helping to spread compassion and understanding for these hardworking animals.
The celebration included activities such as dramatized roleplays, educational demonstrations and essential care for any animals in need of treatment. A special competition rewarded owners of the healthiest donkeys, encouraging best practices in care.
Children and adults alike had the opportunity to participate in welfare evaluations and creative performances to highlight donkeys’ value in transportation, farming, and daily livelihoods. Through education, hands-on learning, and storytelling, the event not only honoured donkeys but also fostered a culture of donkey protection and conservation across the region.
Inspiring excellence in donkey care throughout Ethiopia
To mark World Donkey Day 2025, a range of community and welfare activities took place in Ethiopia’s largest region, Oromia, that runs through the heart of the country.
Delivered in collaboration with our partners, Addis Ababa University and global development charity Ripple Effect, these events reached donkeys in need of care and recognised the vital role these animals play in everyday life in Ethiopia.
Celebrations started with a school student march through the community, together with workers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education. Rewarding the efforts of dedicated owners, a ceremony honoured individuals who had demonstrated outstanding care and responsible ownership. These moments of recognition not only celebrated good practice but aimed to inspire others to follow suit.
Meanwhile, much-needed veterinary services were provided in the towns of Dukem and Woliso including deworming, wound treatment, and general health checks and advice. Routine care, such as hoof trimming, dental treatment, and grooming, was also offered to improve comfort and wellbeing for any donkeys seen by the team.
To ease the physical burden on these working animals, clean water, feed and specially designed ergonomic pack saddles were distributed at market sites and water points. A dedicated radio programme and newspaper articles covered the event to spread and inspire excellence in donkey welfare across the country.
Celebrating donkeys through art and culture in Mexico
World Donkey Day shines a spotlight on the animals at the heart of Mexico’s history and identity.
In the heart of Otumba, a Mexican town steeped in history and tradition, The Donkey Sanctuary joined forces with local government to celebrate World Donkey Day.
Every year on 1 May, the Municipal Government of Otumba holds the National Donkey Fair. The fair began in 1965 as an initiative by the residents of Otumba, acknowledging that during the colonial period the town was a hub of commercial exchange, with donkeys playing a crucial role in the region’s development.
This vibrant event honoured the donkey as a symbol of hard work and loyalty. They are the most cherished and emblematic animal of the region, crafting a deep connection between the community and its roots.
Eduardo Santurtun, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Regional Director for the Latin America and Caribbean Office, said: “Donkeys are not only essential work companions in our daily lives, but they also represent the very essence of our community. They have witnessed and participated in our history, and their presence in local festivities and events reflects our strong emotional bond with them.”
This year, the festivities focused on children and young people, with a series of creative and educational workshops designed to raise awareness about donkey welfare and their cultural significance. Led by the Municipal Unit for Animal Control and Welfare and the Youth Services Department, the sessions explored essential welfare topics like feeding, hydration, health, behaviour and emotional wellbeing, alongside discussions about donkeys’ historical role in community life and Otumba’s identity.
A special highlight was the donkey sculpture contest, where participants crafted artworks using recycled materials—merging environmental awareness with celebration.
Students at a local technology institute bagged first and second place with imaginative sculptures made from recycled paper, as well as soda and beer cans. Students at the community high school won third place for their donkey crafted from disused and painted cardboard boxes.
The event was not only an opportunity to honour Otumba’s identity and cultural heritage, but also to promote respect, care and appreciation for donkeys and the environment we share with them.
Welcoming everyone to meet donkeys in our care in the UK
The doors to our headquarters in Sidmouth, Devon are always open to the public to come and spend time learning and interacting with the donkeys in our care.
In many ways, World Donkey Day is just like any other at The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth.
Our grooms were out early. Our teams of vets and behaviourists were monitoring the health and wellbeing of the donkeys in our care. Our research and advocacy teams were busy behind the scenes helping to build a better world for donkeys.
World Donkey Day does, however, coincide with Donkey Week, where we opened up parts of the sanctuary usually closed to the public for informative demonstrations and lectures about a wide range of subjects and a chance to look behind the scenes of our world-class facilities that help to inspire and guide best donkey welfare around the world.
Bringing communities together in Zimbabwe
To mark World Donkey Day 2025 in Zimbabwe, a vibrant celebration was planned across two local community centres to raise awareness about the importance of donkeys and improve their welfare. The event shone a spotlight on the critical role donkeys play in supporting transport, livelihoods, and everyday life, while also addressing the challenges they face.
Supporting our partner in Zimbabwe, Wildlife Conservation Action, the event brought together donkey owners, families, and community members through interactive quizzes, short presentations and sessions on nutrition, water access and working practices.
A solar-powered sound system was used to amplify key messages about donkey welfare, with fliers and branded t-shirts for the 300 children and adults who attend.
The event built a sense of collective responsibility, strengthened community ties, and sparked lasting change for Zimbabwe’s donkeys.
More ways to support donkeys on world donkey day
For £3 a month you can help to provide donkeys around the world with food and medicines, to pay for vets and to build shelters and hospitals.
By pledging a regular gift today, you’re helping donkeys to live better lives right around the world.
When you buy a donkey themed item from us, you’re also helping to raise funds to build a better world for donkeys.
