Sponsor our Donkeys from just €10 per month
Sponsorship of individual donkeys is also hugely important to us at Donkey Dreamland as it enables us to plan ahead and helps to provide for the welfare of the donkeys by meeting the monthly cost of feed and bedding, pay for vets and farriers and just as importantly, it helps to pay for our programme to educate and train donkey owners.
You can sponsor a donkey for yourself, or share the joy by giving the gift of a donkey sponsorship to a loved one. Whatever your choice, you are doing something amazing and making a big difference.
We appreciate that our supporters want to support the donkeys and that different circumstances apply to different people. That’s why we have created different levels of monthly sponsorship, plus a one off sponsorship which could be used for a birthday present or other celebration. We are sure that there will be something to suit all, but if not, there is always the option to support the donkeys through subscription. Sponsorship means you have the comfort and satisfaction of providing for a donkey that is being cared for on your behalf.
Best Friend Sponsorship – €83.34 per month
A donation of €83.34 per month makes you one of our 100 best friends. You are meeting the monthly upkeep and maintenance costs of your chosen donkey. You can make an appointment to visit at anytime to spend time with the donkey you have chosen to help. You will receive a framed photo of your chosen donkey along with a certificate confirming your sponsorship and you will receive updates about your chosen donkey.
Gold Sponsorship – €50.00 per month
A donation of €50 per month pays for the basic food requirement of a donkey for a month. You will be paying for their monthly food and you can make an appointment to visit at anytime to spend time with the donkey you have chosen to help. You will receive a certificate confirming your sponsorship and you will receive updates about your chosen donkey.
Silver Sponsorship – €20 per month
A donation of €20 per month pays towards the upkeep of a donkey. You will be contributing towards their monthly food and care and you can visit on Saturadays and Sundays between 12.00 & 14.00 to spend time with the donkey you have chosen to help. You will receive a certificate confirming your sponsorship and you will receive updates about your chosen donkey.
Bronze Sponsorship – €10 per month
A donation of €10 per month pays towards the upkeep of a donkey. You will be contributing towards their monthly food and care and you can visit on Saturadays and Sundays between 12.00 & 14.00 to spend time with the donkey you have chosen to help. You will receive a certificate confirming your sponsorship and you will receive updates about your chosen donkey.
Celebration Certificate – €35
Is it someone’s birthday or anniversary? A one off donation of €35 pays towards the upkeep of your chosen donkey on behalf of someone else. You will receive a certificate confirming your sponsorship in the name of the person for whom you have made the Celebration Sponsorship.
Pepé Gerardo
Update 21st December, 2021. Rest in Peace
We are sorry to give you the sad news that Pepé passed away on 21st December, 2021. Aged around 25, he was the oldest donkey at the sanctuary and when he first arrived he suffered from arthrosis, rheumatism and his teeth were in a very bad shape, but his health improved massively due to the love and care he received here at the sanctuary as well as due to the extensive veterinary care we can only afford due to your generosity and support. He enjoyed his best life here at the sanctuary – and that is in no small part thanks to our supporters. Pepé was so calm and cuddly that everyone fell in love with him. He will be missed and whilst we are all very sad, we will look back with great pride in the knowledge that his last 18 months or so of life were filled with joy and love.
Pepé was around 24 years old when he came to the sanctuary and was the oldest donkey here at Donkey Dreamland. Pepé had a hard life working as a tourist ‘taxi’ in Seville and he also appeared in ‘spaghetti’ western films, so he was a film star!
If you would like to donate in memory of Pepé – please click the button below. Thank you!
Esperanza (Hope)
Esperanza is 16 years old and was pregnant when she arrived at Donkey Dreamland. Like most of the donkeys at the sanctuary, she’s had a terrible life as we believe she was used as a ‘breeding machine’ for many years. Esperanza had been with us for six months before she gave birth to her son.
The birth was traumatic as she gave birth to twins, something very rare in donkeys. Esperanza is a wonderful Mother and we’re proud of the fact that bringing her to Donkey Dreamland means that, probably for the first time in her life, she can spend time with Luz, her foal.
Esperanza and Luz have now moved from the sanctuary to a Donkey Dreamland Forever Home, where they will live out the rest of their (long) lives in beautiful surroundings, with constant love and attention.
If you would to like help all of the rescued donkeys by sponsoring Esperanza – please click the button below. Thank you
Venus
Venus is without doubt a beautiful donkey. She came to Donkey Dreamland as part of a group that we called ‘The Wild Bunch‘, four donkeys that we initially couldn’t get near as they appeared to have a huge mistrust of humans. Venus still has her ‘moments’ but for those that spend the time, she rewards them with cuddles and a closeness that makes you feel special.
Now in a paddock away from the rest of the group she arrived with, which we did to give her confidence, she has matured into an elegant and loving member of the Donkey Dreamland tribe.
If you’d like to sponsor Venus – please click the button below. Thank you!
Rita
“Picture and story coming soon”
Brandon
Brandon is thirteen years old and is the father of Carmela. Brandon was another of the ‘The Wild Bunch’ that were initially very mistrustful of us.
When Brandon arrived his skin was in very poor condition and he had large patches without any hair at all (his ears were completely ‘bald’).
Unlike horses, a donkey’s ‘coat’ is not waterproof and if left untreated, they develop dermatitis, which is what Brandon suffered from.
However, with daily treatments, grooming and a lot of love, we are glad to say he looks like a different donkey.
If you’d like to sponsor Brandon – please click the button below. Thank you!
Carmella
Carmela is eight years old and is the daughter of Brandon. One of the donkeys that arrived with ‘The Wild Bunch’, Carmela was initially very difficult to get close to.
However, after a while, it was Carmela who made the decision to trust us and the others soon followed her lead Carmela came from a the town of Coin and spent her days in a field with little stimulation or contact with humans, which we believe led to her initial mistrust of us.
We’re happy to say that now she is very well balanced and is living her best life at Donkey Dreamland.
If you would like to sponsor Carmela – please click the button below. Thank you!
Carmelo
“Picture and story coming soon”
Vida
Vida is around a year old and is our third youngest donkey. Vida came to Donkey Dreamland because he spent his days tied tightly to a post which meant he couldn’t move. Despite having been with us for quite some time, you can still see the harness marks on his face where he was struggling to break free.
Vida now spends his days in a paddock with the ‘big boys’ and despite his size, stands his ground, and spends hours charging round the paddock with his new friends Israel and Romeo. Vida may be one of our smaller donkeys, but he certainly thinks he is one of the biggest ….and when he’s not playing Vida does love his cuddles from our volunteers and visitors.
If you’d like to sponsor Vida – please click the button below. Thank you!
Seca
Seca came to Donkey Dreamland, with her daughter, Luna, in June 2020. She is around 20 years old and they came to us from Granada.
Until Seca was seven she had a terrible life, a life of abuse and mistreatment, but thankfully a wonderful man, and his wife, rescued her and gave her the love and respect she deserved. She was so happy and she gave birth to Luna after only two years in her new loving home. That was some years ago. More recently Seca’s owner fell ill and became unable to look after Seca and Luna and their condition worsened, so much so that he asked Donkey Dreamland if we would be able to take them in and to give them a loving home.
When they arrived at the sanctuary they were in a poor condition. They both had extremely long hooves and their teeth needed attention. They also suffered from allergies and dermatitis causing them pain and discomfort. This was not mistreatment but simply neglect due to the fact their owner was unable to care for them. Since being at Donkey Dreamland most of their issues had been resolved and until recently, had spent their days running around the paddock together in donkey heaven. Seca’s age is catching up on her and now she spends time on her own (by choice!) and she needs constant medical attention and lots of love.
Both Seca and Luna are part of the DNA of Donkey Dreamland and appear in the mural that adorns our main terrace.
Luz
Luz is our youngest donkey. Luz was born at 7am on 11th April 2021. He is now the cheekiest donkey you will ever meet and will nibble the back of our legs whenever we go into a paddock with him. As it gets older, so he gets bolder – although some might say naughtier, and they wouldn’t be far off the mark!
Luz’s hair is currently as soft as velvet and everyone who strokes him comments on how cuddly he is. He even rests his head on your shoulder, but you’d better watch out for your ears as he’ll nibble those too.
Esperanza, Luz’s Mother, will also be close to hand as she watches his every move as Luz is the first foal she’s been able to spend her life with, despite having given birth many times.
There is a beautiful wall painting of Luz at the sanctuary which reflects how special he is to us. Potentialy the only donkey to pass through our sanctuary who has not suffered abuse or neglect and has only experienced love and care. He has now left the sanctuary and is with his mother at a Donkey Dreamland Forever Home.
If you would like to help all of the rescue donkeys by sponsoring Luz – please click the button below. Thank you!
Israel
Israel is a male donkey and we estimate he is around 8 years old (as of August 2021).
When he first arrived at Donkey Dreamland he was very scared of people and would cower in fear if anyone raised their hand to stroke him. We can’t say for sure that he was mistreated as there is no proof, but it’s very likely.
Israel comes from Torrox, near Nerja, and we first heard about him when a neighbor called Amaya, our Founder, and told her that there was a donkey living in a chicken coop just 3m by 3m, living alone with just dry bread for food, little water and just chickens for company.
The neighbor took photos and sent them to Amaya, who knew immediately that Israel needed to be rescued and arranged for him to be transported to his new life at Donkey Dreamland.
Since being at Donkey Dreamland, Israel’s character has completely changed, he loves to be petted, stroked and hugged as he’s now a lovely, well balanced and happy donkey with an endearing playful character.
Lauritz
Lauritz is around five years old and arrived at Donkey Dreamland with Esperanza. We suspect that he is the Father of Luz, Esperanza’s foal, who was born here at Donkey Dreamland in April 2021, although we can’t be certain.
Lauritz is a large and strong donkey but he has a gentleness to his character and loves the attention (and cuddles) from both our volunteers and visitors.
That said, he is still a little afraid of humans, which we believe is due to mistreatment from his past, but he does well to overcome that. Day by day he trusts us a little more and Lauritz now spends his days with his new friends, Julieta, Israel and Romeo as his ‘partner’.
If you’d like to sponsor Lauritz – please click the button below. Thank you!
Flor
Flor is around nine years old. She is one of thirty seven donkeys that were found in really awful conditions in La Línea in Cadiz.
When Flor arrived at Donkey Dreamland she was in an extremely bad physical condition and had numerous skin infections that meant we had, initially, to place her into quarantine. But with constant care, daily treatments and a lot of love, little by little she recovered and she is now able to spend her days amongst the rest of the Donkey Dreamland tribe where she has integrated well due to her lovely character.
If you’d like to sponsor Flor – please click the button below. Thank you!
Muneco
Muñeco came to Donkey Dreamland as a baby foal along with his Mother, Cielo, and aunty, Nube. When he arrived he was the fluffiest donkey you’ve ever seen but his coat is changing now, day by day.
Like all young donkeys, he’s very cheeky and just like all children, hassles his mother endlessly to play. Muñeco came from a place that bred donkeys but couldn’t keep him due to the pandemic. Now he is enjoying life at Donkey Dreamland.
Muñeco loves nothing more than to run around the sanctuary, regularly escaping from his paddock and to smell (and eat) all of the colourful flowers.
If you’d like to sponsor Muñeco – please click the button below. Thank you!
Lolo
“Picture and story coming soon”
Chanquete
“Story coming soon”
Julieta
Julieta is a female donkey of around 18 years old, although she looks much younger than her years.
Julieta was the first donkey to come to Donkey Dreamland and she arrived together with her son, Romeo, who is almost twice the size of his Mother.
When Julieta arrived at Donkey Dreamland her legs were in a very poor state from standing in half a meter of manure and flies had infected her legs and she had open wounds that were bleeding. She was also very stressed from being kept in a small, restricted area.
Julieta was also very thin as she only had a diet of straw, which has little nutrient value compared to hay, which is what she should have been fed. Another factor was Romeo. He is a large and strong donkey and had a greater need for food which resulted in him also eating his Mother’s share. In fact, when Julieta arrived, she was so malnourished and weak that we didn’t think she was going to pull through. Thankfully she did.
Now, more than a year on, Julieta is completely recovered. The infections are gone and the hair has grown back on her legs. We still have to place ‘stockings’ on her legs to keep them infection-free, but it’s true to say she’s a completely different donkey.
She’s also far more social these days and loves her cuddles from the volunteers and visitors.
Nube
Nube came to us at the end of November 2020 from a donkey breeder who lost his business due to the pandemic We took in three donkeys from him (Muneco and Cielo being the others) and they were all very scared and they had obviously been mis-treated. After much nurturing and loving, Nube now has much more confidence around humans and she is gradually becoming more and more trusting.
Luna
Luna came to Donkey Dreamland, with her Mother, Seca, in June 2020. She is around 10 years old and they came to us from Granada.
To see the connection, please read about Seca (above). During happier times, Seca gave birth to Luna but more recently Seca’s owner fell ill and became unable to look after Seca and Luna and their condition deteriorated, so much so that he asked Donkey Dreamland if we would be able to take them in and to give them a loving home.
When they arrived at the sanctuary they were in a poor condition. They both had extremely long hooves and their teeth needed attention. They also suffered from allergies and dermatitis causing them pain and discomfort. This was not mistreatment but simply neglect due to the fact their owner was unable to care for them. Since being at Donkey Dreamland most of their issues had been resolved Luna now spends her time running around the paddock in donkey heaven. Seca’s age is catching up on her and now she spends time on her own (by choice!).
Both Seca and Luna are part of the DNA of Donkey Dreamland and appear in the mural that adorns our main terrace.
Romeo
“Picture and story coming soon”
Cielo
“Picture and story coming soon”
Tony
Tony and Cleo arrived at Donkey Dreamland in February 2020.
Tony didn’t have a name when he arrived at the sanctuary, so we gave him this name.
Tony is a miniature donkey, just like Cleo and he has a lot of character!
Small donkeys usually have so much more character because they have to compete with the larger donkeys and prove they are just as brave and tough as the big ones. In addition, Tony’s history adds to his character. When you read on, you’ll understand why . . . .
Both Tony and Cleo came from a farm school. Tony had only been at the school for around two years. The owners of the farm school rescued him from a bar at three o’clock in the morning where a group of farmers and gypsies were getting him drunk and making fun of him.
We believe this led to him having to defend himself, which has led to his ‘boisterous’ character and why he can sometimes be aggressive to other donkeys.
However, since being at Donkey Dreamland he has calmed considerably, although he can still be a little aggressive towards other donkeys. When the owners of the farm school rescued poor Tony, they took him home and he became good friends with Cleo, who was the only donkey there at that time. Over time, Tony has fallen in love with Cleo and are likely going to be forever friends and unlikely ever to be separated. They are truly a couple in love.
Olivia
Olivia was unfortunately one of the worst rescue cases we have come across since Donkey Dreamland was formed some 18 months ago. We don’t know much about her past, but she was found in a field with no grazing, surrounded by dogs. The dogs don’t appear to be wild dogs, but “owned” by the same person that had responsibility for Olivia. The dogs were fed (insufficient) basic dry dog food and that is all Olivia had to eat too. We know the dogs regularly attacked her (just look at the wounds she had when she was rescued on Tuesday) but we think it is because they were trying to protect their food – basically there just wasn’t enough food.
The bigger problem however was with her legs. Her tendons had contracted and she found walking very difficult and painful.
Long story short, Olivia has had two lots of surgery kindly funded by donations to a GoFundMe campaign and she is now walking around the sanctuary as though she owns the place! She needs constant medication though and your sponsorship will be a welcome contribution to the costs of this.
Cleo
Tony and Cleo arrived at Donkey Dreamland in February 2020.
The reason we have them at the sanctuary is that they were both living in a farm school that also had pigs, chickens and goats, all of which were visited by schoolchildren on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, due to the financial crisis caused by the pandemic, they had to close the farm school and they lost their land and began looking for good homes for all their animals.
Cleo was emotionally in good shape, but physically not so good. She was very skinny and had a lot of issues with dermatitis. From the moment she arrived, we have been treating her with Aloe Vera and Coconut oil.
However, this proved not to be enough and we asked the vet to give her an injection to stop the itching as she was always scratching herself which was distressing her.
The good news is that everything we have done has worked and you can now see new hair growing, and the itching has stopped.
We now look on Cleo as the perfect donkey, as she is sweet, calm, and doesn’t cause any trouble with the other donkeys.
Now, the only problem that Cleo has to deal with is Tony, as he’s always ‘on her case’. The reason why can be seen in the story of Tony (above). . . .
Lucky
You may recall that when we first took Lucky the horse, he was almost totally blind. At best he could make out blurred shadows in one eye. However, after weeks of a healthy diet and loads of love and attention, there is no doubting that his sight has improved.
Whenever someone walks down to his paddock, no matter how silently we approach, he immediately walks straight towards us, looking directly at us.
It is so heart warming and another justification (as if any were needed) for Amaya’s decision to take a horse in to the Donkey Sanctuary. He may never be rehomed, (although we live in hope that a true horse lover may take him on) but at least his remaining days, however long or short that may be, will be more enjoyable and full of love.
Carlos
Once upon a time there was a lonely little donkey, living alone in a fenced area of building ruins surrounded by discarded waste. Whilst he had no friends, he could hear other animals locked into small spaces a short distance away. The only thing he had to look forward to was receiving food from his owner once in a while.
But one day his life changed. Marianna and her dog Elly came to Spain from Germany and during a walk, they discovered the little donkey behind the ruins. They moved closer to see him and it was love at first sight…!
From that day on, Marianna and Elly visited the donkey twice a day everyday and affectionately named him Carlos, inspired by listening to Carlos Santana. She brought him carrots, lettuce and other exciting, nutritional foods he’d not tried before.
Each time he saw his new friends, Carlos began to sing with happiness in his own donkey language! And so they became best friends.