Miniature Mediterranean donkeys, more commonly known as miniature donkeys, are a separate breed in their own right, originally hailing from the islands of Sardinia and Sicily.
Donkeys arrive here at El Refugio del Burrito in all shapes and sizes, but one particular requirement of this breed standard is that the miniature Mediterranean donkey must reach no more than 91 cm at the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades, the tallest point of the body).
After his 20th birthday, is time for León to retire. As you know, his health has been a bit delicate recently and we also want to give other donkeys the opportunity to receive your affection.
His place in the adoption programme will be taken by Artemisa, but don't worry: León's adopters will still be able to continue adopting him. The only change is that he will not be available for new adoptions.
Three months ago, we launched an urgent appeal to help support 42 donkeys and mules in need of new homes after their owner was prosecuted for an alleged continual crime of animal abuse in La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz).
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.
We have secured the safety of three donkeys who were left in darkness to suffer alongside many other desperate and dying animals in a “farm of horrors”. We responded to a tip-off about the farm in Bormujos, Sevilla, and we were horrified by what we found.
“The smell of death was devastating,” said Veronica Sanchez, sanctuary director. “Two horses were in an advanced state of decomposition and there were a multitude of bones from many animals scattered all over the ground. Next to this cemetery, other animals were still alive but had no food or water.”
Jasmin could barely walk due to the lenght of her hooves. She has been neglected for 13 years when we came to her rescue earlier this year.
A citizen from Monturque (Cordoba) called us very worry about the situation of this poor donkey.
Jasmin's hooves were so overgrown that she could barely walk and her life was at risk.
In this video you can see her progress.
Jasmin is now at our Sanctuary, she is enjoying her trimmed hooves and her new life. She can finally walk, run and be happy.
We have won the lawsuit against a man that kept close to 40 equines in terrible condition in Callosa de Segura, Spain. For the first time in the history of El Refugio del Burrito, we obtain a jail sentence for animal abuse. The man has been convicted to 9 months of prison and disqualified to own or work with animals for three years. Besides, we have now become the official owners of the rescued donkeys and mules in the frame of this investigation.
Ramón Amaya lives in the neighbourhood of Llera, Badajoz. His life changed on January the 2nd, when he rescued a mule that was near to death by the wayside. Witnesses said that the mule collapsed in exhaustion, while being pulled by a jeep. She was first dragged on the ground, then beat and finally abandoned.
Ramón decided to take charge of the mule, who was named Muliki. Thanks to one of our Facebook friends, we knew about this story and rapidly contacted Ramón to offer him our support and advice.
Marcelo is a 25 year old mule we have just collected in Álora, a town in the Málaga province. He has spent most of his life working with his owner, who is now too old to give him the care he needs. It was the owner himself who decided to call and relinquish his beloved mule to us, so he could have a wonderful retirement.
At El Refugio del Burrito, thanks to all of you and your invaluable donations he will have a life full of love and care.
Ibai is one of the latest donkeys we have rescued. He is a 5 year old donkey that was living inside a small, ruined building in a marginal neighbourhood in Adra (Almería’s province). He only had 10 square metres of living space and he hardly ever got fed, so he was approaching starvation. Needless to say he did not get any veterinary attention either. The donkey was used by gypsies to pull a cart with ill-fitting harnessing that has made him sore and wounded in several places.
