Help Donkey Friends (in England & abroad)
Donkeys are lovely creatures, but as they are very strong (and mild, although stubborn) they are often some of the most abused creatures, often made to work in awful conditions, with little food in intense heat (some are even used to transport mined minerals, a dangerous job on flooded land, a reason to buy more sustainable smartphones and recycled jewellery, to avoid mining of new metals.
Don’t accept donkey rides (in England or abroad)
It’s less popular these days, but donkey rides are (like horse carriages and Punch & Judy shows) gradually disappearing, with better welfare checks on remaining rides, on English beaches. These were brought in to ensure fresh water, shade, rest and weight limits. Though it remains a boring life for these herd animals who like to graze in open fields, with their own kind.
In Costa del Sol, a British family recently reported emaciated donkeys to Born Free’s Red Alert where locals are lobbying the mayor to end rides in this area, sending exhausted donkeys to the nearby donkey sanctuary. Many were frothing at the mouth, falling down hills and standing in urine, unable to move.
El Refugio del Burrito is the Spanish brand of The Donkey Charity, that says its job would be much easier if people did not support the industry. You can report concerns to their website.
Support our donkey sanctuaries
The Donkey Sanctuary is one of England’s major charities that does two things better than most. First it donates nearly every penny to donkey welfare at home and abroad (not on free pens). And secondly, it uses positive charity ads (not ones to give you nightmares) that results in more donations, showing the good work it does.
The charity was founded by Dr Elizabeth Svendson, after she discovered donkeys in appalling conditions at an Exeter market. It has a state-of-the-art hospital and beautiful sanctuaries nationwide, and has helped to ban donkey slaughter in parts of Africa (the skins used for the ‘medicine trade’).
You can report of donkeys in need or donkey concerns, and their experts and volunteers will kick into action. How to help:
- Sign it up as your charity at easyfundraising. Then each time you shop at major retailers, a portion of the price is donated at no cost to you (does not affect loyalty points).
- Donate (anonymously if preferred at Charities Aid Foundation (add Gift Aid for taxpayers).
- Donkey Lottery has a weekly £1 draw where you can win up to £1000. There are 33 cash prizes each week (let them know if you don’t want your name on the winner’s list).
- Buy a jute shopping bag, which helps the planet and donkeys.
Isle of Wight donkey sanctuary
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary rescues donkeys, mules and ponies animals from England and abroad, is set in 55 acres with walking trails (many from water wheels, or simply due to losing land or guardians becoming ill). It costs around £1000 to rescue each donkey. How to help:
- Again, sign as your charity at easyfundraising, to raise money at no cost to you. Or donate anonymously.
- Donkey Sanctuary Lotto (£1 a ticket) has a top weekly prize of £25,000.
- Hedgerow Gin uses local ingredients (Wildheart Sanctuary Gin also benefits a local sanctuary).
Check medication, before consuming grapefruit gin. Choose soda water (over tonic water) for some medical conditions (check paper inserts). Recycle corks at off licenses, or send off in bulk to Recorked.
Other ways to help donkey sanctuaries
- Most appreciate purchase of MudControl slabs, used by farmers and equestrians, to turn muddy land into safe places to pass or eat hay. Used with sand for easy installation.
- Enter ‘donkey sanctuary’ and county names at Find That Charity, to bring up registered sanctuaries. All welcome volunteers to help with cleaning and building shelters.
Actor John Nettles is passionate about donkeys (and horses – he supports Mare and Foal Sanctuary, which offers sanctuary and welfare advice. He helped to rescue a donkey from Ireland, who now happily lives with a new friend!
How to help working donkeys abroad
- The Donkey Care Handbook (also in Chinese) educates communities on good donkey care, and works to stop donkeys being killed for their skins.
- SPANA provides free vet care and help for natural disasters (report concerns). Donations fund volunteer vets for ‘draught animals’.
- Animal Aid Abroad and Brooke helps working horses, donkeys and mules (report concerns on holiday). Its book Sharing the Load (download in several languages) educates communities.
- Safe Haven for Donkeys (raise funds by donating scrap cars and Lucy’s UK Donkey Foundation helps donkeys in the Middle East.
- The Donkey Haven Charity helps donkeys use for meat and tourism (report concerns, they have adoptive homes if needed).
Helping donkeys in Tanzania
SPANA is helping donkeys in flooded areas. There are many ways to help:
- Send unwanted (including broken) jewellery and watches (and any bank notes/coins, mobile phones, cameras, stamps (leave a 1cm surround to preserve the perforations)) and electronic gadgets. Or donate scrap cars, they can sell scrap metal.
- Choose SPANA as your cause at easyfundraising. Or donate anonymously.
- IAPWA (easyfundraising) is another charity active in Tanzania.
