There are currently more than 80 donkeys living in peaceful retirement at the Humane Society’s Donkey Sanctuary with more expected in the near future.

In the 1960’s the economic focus in Antigua began shifting from agriculture to tourism and the donkey’s usefulness began to decline. Many were turned out to fend for themselves and, of course, have reproduced at will, resulting in a very large stray and roaming population.

While most of us appreciate the donkeys and their importance to the nation, the fact remains that when allowed to wander at will they invade farmers’ plots and residents’ gardens and eat down the vegetation. They also present a risk on the roads, especially at night, and need to be controlled.

More needs to be done, but for the moment the Humane Society offers Sanctuary to donkeys who are sick or suffering or who are creating a nuisance and are in danger of being abused or even shot by angry farmers and residents.

The Humane Society has received very welcome assistance from Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen of The Donkey Sanctuary in the UK through their International Donkey Protection Trust. The IDPT donated a livestock trailer for transporting donkeys to the Sanctuary and funds for fencing and water troughs. We now have six fully fenced paddocks that can be closed off, enabling us to rotate the donkey grazing areas and are working on a seventh. This has been necessary due to the shortage of space and recurring drought conditions.

The Pettus-Crowe Foundation has also helped by providing the funds we needed to improve our perimeter fencing. Thanks to the Foundation, we are now in the process of installing much sturdier fencing, designed to keep the donkeys safe.

In addition, the Pettus-Crowe Foundation and The Arthur Boyd Trust have funded the construction of two donkey shelters which provide us with save havens for the donkeys at night and during stormy weather. The shelters also enable us to catch water for the troughs although we still have to have water trucked during drought.

In addition to providing limited grazing and carrying water to them, we also feed the donkeys a purchased bagged feed every day, which is a significant drain on our resources. When our paddocks become overgrazed, we cut grass and bush and beg bread from the bakeries. The dry season, January to August, is particularly difficult.

Why adopt an Antiguan donkey?
By adopting one of our Sanctuary donkeys you can greatly assist us in continuing to provide them a safe haven in which to live out their lives. Your adoption donation will help us worm them and provide them with regular feed and any veterinary attention they might need.

Adoption donation

For an adoption donation of US $25 (EC $65) annually you will receive a photograph of your chosen donkey, a copy of our quarterly newsletter, Animal Tracks, and an adoption certificate. You can also adopt a donkey as a gift for a friend. We will gladly enclose any message you wish us to send them.

How to adopt an Antiguan donkey?

Please see our Donkey Sanctuary website