World leaders in donkey welfare
For over 50 years we have developed our standing as 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 world leaders in 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 in Spain
We have two donkey sanctuaries in Spain—one in Málaga and the other in Badajoz. Our mission is to improve the welfare of donkeys and mules across the country by providing support, expert advice, and guidance to professionals, partners, and authorities.
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, we have paved the way for improved donkey welfare right around the world. But there is still much to do - please give what you can today.
While every euro is vital, please only give what you can afford.
Our impact in 2024
Donate Now
Donate now
€10 could help pay for medicine to treat sick donkeys and mules.
€15 could help pay for nutritious food for our donkeys and mules.
€30 could help pay for essential farrier care for donkeys and mules.
Resource hub for donkeys owners
The main goal of this guide is to help you find a suitable adoptive home for your donkeys, based on animal welfare principles.
This course focuses on the step-by-step manufacturing process of a pack saddle for donkeys and mules.
This course focuses in on the step-by-step process of manufacturing a collar for donkeys and mules.
Being able to age equids within a narrow range can be useful for owners and professionals alike when accurate records are unavailable. This short course focuses on ageing donkeys by dentition, covering the ageing process of an equid from a newborn up to a geriatric animal.
In this first part of four courses, introducing you to donkey behaviour, we will look at the foundation of the donkeys' behaviour, gained from their evolutionary ancestors and what influences their difference from horses.
Latest news
With the aim of addressing the most pressing challenges affecting equines and charting a path towards their protection and welfare, the II Equine Welfare Forum was held in Madrid on Thursday 13 March 2025. The event brought together leading experts from the legal, veterinary, institutional, and academic fields.
On 13 March, during the 2nd Equine Welfare Forum, we presented the Spanish translation of the White Paper: Good Welfare for Equids, with the participation of Izaskun Arrieta from Eurogroup for Animals.
Every day at our sanctuaries is a shining example of dedication, compassion, and tireless effort, ensuring that our 205 donkey residents enjoy optimal health and happiness. Follow along to see what a day looks like for one of our grooms.
This Plastic Free July, we spoke with the team at The Donkey Sanctuary Kenya about the rise in cases of poisoning and colic due to plastic ingestion.
Donkey-owning communities in remote areas of Peru have received vital training and equipment thanks to a collaborative project launched by The Donkey Sanctuary and partner organisation Innovar y Compatir (Innovate and Share).
We applaud Emirates, the largest international airline in the world, for implementing an embargo on the carriage of donkey skins on Emirates aircrafts worldwide.
Every 8 May, International Donkey Day is celebrated, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of protecting and conserving this species. In this interview with our director, Dr Elena Barrio, we tell you more about why we exist and what makes our work so special.
We have participated in pioneering scientific research led by entomologists in which we have tested an environmentally friendly approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in order to reduce the population of stable flies in our sanctuaries.
On 14 March, a pioneering conference on the Implementation of the Spanish New Animal Welfare Law was held at the University of Granada.
The implementation of the new Animal Welfare Law is a matter of vital importance that directly affects the work of the Civil Guard, particularly the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA).
