Resident at the sanctuary Olivia with cut ears – a branding technique to identify owners.
The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, a leading voice in equine welfare, has launched an urgent appeal for public financial support as its campaign to end the commercial slaughter of donkeys for the international skin trade reaches a critical breaking point. As the donkey skin trade continues to threaten populations across South Africa and the wider continent, the Sanctuary warns that its vital advocacy and rescue operations are now in jeopardy due to a lack of funding.
A Growing Threat to Donkeys and Rural Livelihoods
Founder and CEO Jonno Sherwin, a prominent advocate for animal welfare, reports that the organisation’s resources are being depleted by the extensive costs of investigations, government submissions, and stakeholder engagements. “Every investigation, every government submission, every stakeholder engagement, every kilometre travelled and every effort to expose cruelty and protect South Africa’s donkeys has been funded through our own limited resources,” said Sherwin. “Our bank account is running dry, and we urgently need public support to continue this work.” While the African Union has adopted a historic 15-year moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins and body parts, South Africa has instead implemented a “controlled export model.” This policy currently permits the legal slaughter of up to 10,500 donkeys annually.
