The Donkey Sanctuary took great strides into the new millennium, opening its doors in new countries and welcoming the 10,000th donkey into our care.

Although the great Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE passed away in 2011, The Donkey Sanctuary has carried her legacy forward to help donkeys and mules for years to come.

We are transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. A world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering, and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. Wherever we find a donkey in need, we try to help.

Through a challenging 2020 we took in 137 relinquishments, rehomed 94 donkeys, bringing the total number of donkeys in our rehoming scheme to 1,467. We launched a Covid Emergency Response Fund, providing swift and vital support to organisations helping donkeys in urgent need and published several peer-reviewed papers, helping to boost the knowledge and status of donkeys across the globe.