• Donkey populations collapsing in some countries across Africa, South America and Asia
• Millions of donkeys killed by traders for their skins to be used in traditional Chinese medicine
• Pregnant mares, foals and sick animals illegally stolen, transported and killed
• Biosecurity risk of anthrax and equine flu throughout the trade
• Donkeys key to the livelihoods of 500 million people worldwide
When we think of Malaga in southern Spain, most of us think of sunshine, but the area was hit by heavy rain over the weekend with over 120mm failing in just 12 hours. Some of you may have seen from our Facebook page that El Refugio del Burrito placed in Fuente de Piedra (Malaga) was badly affected.
Yesterday our team battled the elements to ensure that donkeys were evacuated from flooded areas of the sanctuary as this short video clip shows.
Since the Donkey Sanctuary established its Spanish base in 2003 (el Refugio del Burrito), one of its priorities has been to improve the welfare of the donkeys working in Mijas. Back then, the NGO started to take donkeys that were unfit for work into its sanctuary, carrying out regular health inspections on the working animals, advising owners on basic care and behaviour and even providing free veterinary treatment for those donkeys that needed hoof and dental care.
This week, more than 20,000 equines will participate in El Rocio, the largest pilgrimage in the Western world. The Donkey Sanctuary Spanish base, El Refugio del Burrito (ERB), in collaboration with Spanish authorities will put in place a 24 hour on the ground operation to ensure animal welfare during the event.
The results of a shocking investigation by The Donkey Sanctuary reveals the devastating human impact of the growing demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skin.
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).
The project helped ease the pressures imposed on families in the Maras District of Cusco, following the sudden lockdown caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After two weeks of dedication, teamwork and expert care, we have managed to save the life of Telerin, a rescue donkey suffering from open, infected wounds and an enormous gash from one side of his abdomen to the other.
Our Welfare team was contacted last month by a lady who initially saved Telerin from being sent to the slaughterhouse. The person who took Telerin in was unable to keep him as, despite his sweet nature, he was a stallion donkey surrounded by females, she had limited space and the situation wasn’t sustainable.
“The donkey has always helped man, in most parts of the world it still does, and it never asks for anything in exchange”
Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen MBE – Founder of The Donkey Sanctuary
El Refugio del Burrito has launched an urgent appeal to help support 37 donkeys and mules in need of new homes after their owner was accused for an alleged continuing crime of animal abuse
The Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard Command of Algeciras has proceeded to accuse a neighbour of the town of La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz) as the alleged perpetrator of a continuing crime of animal abuse on 12 horses and donkeys that caused serious injuries and even the death of six of them.
The European Commission has welcomed the publication of practical guidelines on assessing the fitness for transport of equidae (horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids), an essential resource for anyone involved in the transport process, which was produced through a collaboration of agri-food, transport, veterinary organisations and animal welfare groups supported by the European Commission.
