The Donkey Sanctuary (helping donkeys worldwide)
The Donkey Sanctuary donates nearly every penny to donkey welfare at home and abroad. The charity was set up 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 already helped to ban donkey slaughter in parts of Africa (the skins used for the ‘medicine trade’).
You can report of a donkey in need or donkey concerns, and their dedicated team of experts and volunteers will kick into action.
- Sign up as your chosen charity at easyfundraising. Then each time you buy a product or service, retailers donate a portion of sales on your behalf, at no cost to you. It does not affect loyalty points.
- Donate (you can donate anonymously if preferred by opening an account at Charities Aid Foundation (add Gift Aid, if you’re a taxpayer).
- If you play lotteries, switch to the Donkey Lottery, 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 appearing on the winner’s list).
- Buy a jute shopping bag, which helps the planet, and profits fund helping donkeys.
Other Ways to Help Donkey Sanctuaries
- Most sanctuaries appreciate purchase of MudControl slabs, used by farmers and equestrians, to turn muddy land into safe places to pass through or eat hay. They are used with sand for easy installation.
- Enter the words ‘donkey sanctuary’ at Find That Charity, to bring up registered donkey sanctuaries. You can volunteer locally, add the county name to your search.
- All donkey sanctuaries welcome trained volunteers, and others to help with cleaning, feeding animals and building shelters.
- Also read of reasons to avoid donkey rides and how to help working donkeys abroad.
Actor John Nettles is passionate about donkeys (and horses – he supports Mare and Foal Sanctuary, which offers lifelong sanctuary for equines and welfare advice). He even helped to rescue a donkey from Ireland, who now happily lives with a new donkey friend!
