In this very difficult time for us all, the financial squeeze is being felt here at the Sanctuary.

With an increase in donkeys being relinquished into our care each month because their owners can no longer afford to keep their well-loved donkeys, we are appealing for your help.

How much does it cost?

• £8 could buy a bag of fibre nuts. An elderly donkey eats 2 kg per day (in 2 feeds). A 15 kg bag of fibre nuts would therefore feed one donkey a week.
  
  
  
  
• £8 could buy a bale of wood shavings to use in the donkeys' stables. It takes approximately 4 bales to start a bed and then 1-2 bales a week to keep it topped up and clean for a pair of donkeys using one stable.
  
  
  
  
• £90 could buy 1 tonne of straw. 1 tonne of straw is equivalent to 30 small bales of straw. Each group of donkeys is fed ad-lib straw unless they are on diets, have a dust allergy or have breathing problems.
  
  
  
  
• £325 could pay for one tank of diesel to transport relinquished donkeys into our care.

What have we cut back on?

To help us weather the credit crunch, we have had to put on hold a number of projects planned for this year, two examples of these are:

• Housing for new intakes at our Sanctuary in Ireland
• New projects planned for our overseas work

The one thing we can't cut back on is feeding the donkeys.

Please rest assured that any donation you give no matter how small will help to give more donkeys a safe, happy and healthy future.

Single online donations

You might prefer to make a single donation or to donate online by clicking on the button on the right.

Regular donations

A regular gift such as a Direct Debit allows us to plan for the future.

Regular gifts can also help to purchase the ongoing essentials in life - feed for donkeys for just £3 a month or bedding materials such as straw or wood shavings for a £5 monthly donation.

By making a regular donation by direct debit you can help us to plan for the future and reduce administrative costs.

Donations in memory

Many people choose to remember a loved one by making a donation in memory or by asking for donations as an alternative to sending flowers to a funeral.

By making a donation in memory you will be helping us care for our growing family of donkeys.

Donations by cheque

If you prefer to make a donation by cheque, please make your cheque payable to "The Donkey Sanctuary" and send to:

The Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 0NU

Donations by credit card

Alternatively, if you prefer to make a donation by credit card, please telephone +44 (0) 1395 579128.