During the last 45 years, The Donkey Sanctuary and our devoted family of supporters have made a profound difference to the lives of donkeys all over the world. Together, we want to see a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering, and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. With 50 million donkeys globally there is still much to do and with your help we aim to bring care to two million donkeys in 40 countries by 2018.

The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. She dedicated her life to champion donkeys, and it is through her devotion that the Sanctuary grew to be the international charity it is today. Inspired by her dedication her memory lives on in our work as does her motto: donkeys will always come first, second and third.