The Donkey Sanctuary Avis 

In total agreement with other one star reviews. The donkey sanctuary have closed Uk centres and we have not been informed where our sponsored Donkey is? Or Have any chance of visiting.
They claim it’s financial issues yet the three directors are still reported to be claiming £160000 a year in salaries. That’s £480000 per year altogether, that could be funnelled back to the animals.
And surprise, surprise no offer of a refund. It appears they have no interest in the welfare of animals and more interest in lining there own pockets.
In my opinion don’t waste your money on these con artists.

To my grave shock and disappointment, I have received an unexpected email today from The Donkey Sanctuary, stating they are proposing to close 4 of their UK centres, including Leeds due to disclosed financial issues. A consultation to this end is said to commence today. As a consequence, they have cancelled my 12-year old daughter's appointment to visit her sponsored donkey, Harbin, in Leeds this Saturday, 23rd May, 2024. Understandably, she is extremely disappointed, upset and tearful.

Financial problems for an organisation do not just arise out of thin air. Did The Donkey Sanctuary know 4 of their UK centres were in financial trouble when my mother purchased this sponsorship for my daughter, her granddaughter? The Donkey Sanctuary has NOT offered to refund our money.

Moreover, in spite of their declared financial problems, The Donkey Sanctuary continues to advertise sponsorship of donkeys on their website. Unbelievable. Is it lawful for an organisation to do so when in declared financial difficulty? If they go into adminsitration we may never see our money again.

This debacle has very much undermined our trust in sponsoring any animal charities in future, especially The Donkey Sanctuary.

A very, very poor show on the part of The Donkey Sanctuary, especially as charities are exempt from tax.

In spite of the fact The Donkey Sanctuary are currently completing a 45-day consultation re: closure of 4 of its centres, including Leeds, they continue to advertise online for donkey adoption. Although they emailed me last week to say my scheduled visit to see donkey, Harbin at their Leeds sanctuary was cancelled due to their 45-day consultation, nevertheless they keep sending me emails advertising donkey adoption. Is this lawful? Are customers like myself with The Donkey Sanctuary adoption packages being taken for fools? This is starting to feel like a smaller scale version of the MG asset stripping scandal a few years back.

if The Donkey Sancuary want to save their 4 centres I suggest that they lay off all ofn their executive board, who doubtless receive bloated salaries and benefits courtesy of donkey adoption payments.

The Donkey Sanctuary have given a very vague reference to the welfare of the donkeys in their care.

I would strongly advise against taking out a sponsorship of a donkey with The Donkey Sanctuary.

Once the 45-day consultation concludes on Friday 05/07/24, depending on the outcome, I am considering lodging a formal complaint with the Charity Commission. I would encourage other adoption holders to do likewise.

The Donkey Sanctuary are undermining public confidence in animal charities.

If after the 45-day consultation ends on 5th July the 4 centres are closed, I strongly urge everyone affected to lodge a formal complaint with the Charity Commission. Chariites are being exploited far too much for asset stripping. A charity is a charity, not a business designed to make greedy executives richer. These unscrupulous people should leave the third sector and go to the private sector. Their unscrupulous behaviour is ruining charities and undermining public confidence in these.

In spite of planning to axe most of their centres, The Doney Sanctuary still have the sheer audacity to send me emails encouraging me to take out donkey adoption. This is unbelievable. No wonder the public have no faith in charities and won't invest in these. You can't blame them when these are run by greedy, money-grabbing, asset-stripping executives.

We fostered 2 donkeys and had them for 8 years. We looked after them fed them vaccinated them dosed them when they were due. The donkeys sanctuary then decided that they needed dental care. We were to pay for this . When we refused to pay the vet for this they removed the 2 donkeys. The donkeys had a fabulous life here with us . As we had bonded with them it was extremely difficult to see them go .In the same breath the sanctuary were advertising that they were not taking in any donkeys as the there were full to capacity. Extremely petty of the sanctuary to refuse to pay their vet for dental care. I don’t expect this review will be left up here long. Regards
Neil Murphy
Ardpatrick.

We spent the day yesterday at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon. Just WOW. Such a beautiful, huge and well maintained heaven for donkeys. Around 220 animals on site. Very instructive day, full of information available on site about the life and organisation of the sanctuary and their 4 legged hosts. Visibly the animals are loved and looked after and the staff is friendly. We made a donation, bought nice items from the shop and had lunch at the restaurant. The food is really delicious. We took loads of pictures and we were delighted to pet some of the donkeys. For animal lovers like us it was fabulous to get close. We spotted Beau the cat too. Lovely day guaranteed.

Just visited Donkey Sanctuary Leeds, amazing place. So informative and the lovely people who work there will answer all your questions and have a mound of information to give you. We sponsor 2 donkeys and it’s only £3 per month each, they don’t pressure you, but you will just fall in love with them all. A beautiful magical relaxing place. It’s 10 stars minimum from me & my daughter🥰🥰🥰

An absolutely brilliant place to go, totally family friendly. Free entry and a lovely day out.

The donkeys are so well cared for by the friendly wonderful staff, you can stroke the donkeys as well if you like. The café is really nice and the coffee is very good.

To adopt a donkey is only £3 a month, so worth it for the free entry and the day out.

So worth a visit, and nice to support such a worthy cause.

Fantastic place, popped in for lunch at the cafe and had Tuscan Bean soup - best I’ve ever tasted. Staff are really friendly and incredibly helpful.
Most importantly the donkeys are happy - looking forward to coming again, lots to explore & see :)

We went to The Donkey Sanctuary Sidnouth in June 2021 for half term & it did not disappoint. In fact it was so good we went on 2 days. It was incredible; peaceful & a place of complete tranquility. There were so many donkeys. They were definitely cared for. Dean who did a talk about the place was so informative & helpful. The food was literally incredible. A vegan option that was 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I highly highly recommend it. The best thing is it’s free to enter & the gift shop is fabulous as is the cafe & I really cream parlour. I’d give it 6 stars if I could!