Our mission is to create a world where every donkey has a good quality of life.
Direct Impact - Rescue and Rehoming
With our sanctuaries at full capacity, we have made space available, wherever possible, for pregnant mares and foals, while working hard to provide community-based donkeys and their keepers with rehoming and prevention services. In March 2023, we were alerted to 20 abandoned donkeys in Galway. As part of the complex rescue operation, we worked alongside other animal welfare organisations where we took four pregnant mares and three foals into our care with the remaining donkeys being rehomed.
With over 1,600 equines in our care, we must be able to focus on caring for their needs, as well as doing what we can to prevent and end suffering in the community.
Community Impact - Supporting donkey owners
With our Irish sanctuary at full capacity, we continue to offer help to owners to help keep donkeys within the community. To help owners provide vital care and improve the welfare of their donkeys, we offer support in many forms, including castration of stallion donkeys, veterinary care, farriery and dental treatment. In addition to, advice on feeding your donkey, housing your donkey, and even the opportunity to attend our free donkey care training courses.
After being contacted by an owner who was caring for two donkeys and a mule, Ciara O’Kelly, Donkey Welfare Adviser and our welfare team were on hand to reassure the owner and put a plan in place to support her and improve the welfare of her animals. The owner said: “With Ciara’s help, I have a plan and I am optimistic the donkeys will remain with me. Thank you with all my heart.”
Governmental impact - Sustainable change for good
Several issues affecting the wellbeing of donkeys in Ireland are happening at the same time, with a history of unplanned and unmanaged breeding lying at the root of this complex crisis. The welfare crisis has put pressure on our welfare services at an unsustainable rate and with many donkeys yet to be registered with a passport agency or given a microchip, the number of donkeys at risk of poor welfare in Ireland is currently unquantified.
We believe that a lasting solution to the donkey welfare crisis in Ireland must involve changes to government policy and law enforcement practices. By advocating for better welfare through government and law enforcement, we can help many more donkeys than we can by providing sanctuary care alone. We are working with authorised agencies to help those changes come about as quickly and effectively as possible.
Our impact in 2023
Find out more
Learn about the donkey welfare crisis in Ireland and how we’re working to make a postive difference for more donkeys.
