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The Donkey Sanctuary

TO PROVIDE RESCUE HOMES AND TREATMENT FOR DONKEYS, MULES AND OTHER SUCH ANIMALS, AND TO PREVENT CRUELTY TO SUCH ANIMALS THROUGH PROMOTING HUMANE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS THEM. ENHANCING PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH WORKING WITH DONKEYS AND MULES.

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Activities & Mission

TO PROVIDE RESCUE HOMES AND TREATMENT FOR DONKEYS, MULES AND OTHER SUCH ANIMALS, AND TO PREVENT CRUELTY TO SUCH ANIMALS THROUGH PROMOTING HUMANE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS THEM. ENHANCING PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH WORKING WITH DONKEYS AND MULES.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 23 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£59,557,831
Latest Expenditure
£56,952,302

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 68.4%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 71.5%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 30.7%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £52,554,535
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £5,309,922
Investments £732,699
Other Income £960,675

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £40,749,086
Raising Funds £16,203,216
Governance £1,268,519
Grants to Institutions £1,144,144
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£59,557,831
£56,952,302£40,749,086£113,056,108£32,904,704786 / 143

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Donkey Sanctuary

What does The Donkey Sanctuary do?

TO PROVIDE RESCUE HOMES AND TREATMENT FOR DONKEYS, MULES AND OTHER SUCH ANIMALS, AND TO PREVENT CRUELTY TO SUCH ANIMALS THROUGH PROMOTING HUMANE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS THEM. ENHANCING PEOPLE'S LIVES THROUGH WORKING WITH DONKEYS AND MULES.

How much income did The Donkey Sanctuary report in 2025?

The Donkey Sanctuary reported total income of £59.56m and reported expenditure of £56.95m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Donkey Sanctuary registered as a charity?

The Donkey Sanctuary was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 25 March 2024 as charity number 1207593. It has been registered for 2 years.

Who runs The Donkey Sanctuary?

The Donkey Sanctuary is governed by a board of 11 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Donkey Sanctuary operate?

The Donkey Sanctuary operates across 23 areas, including Afghanistan, Albania, Cyprus and 20 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The Donkey Sanctuary a registered charity?

Yes — The Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1207593.

Details

Address
THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
SLADE HOUSE FARM
SIDMOUTH
EX10 0NU
Registration Date
25 March 2024
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5230778
Charity Number
1207593

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Trustees

Ajay Barai
David Paul Lunn
Dr Andrew Stringer
Dr Thomas Mitchell
Edemekong Uyoh
Elizabeth Cecilia Sheldon
Karen Reed
Lucy Back
Lucy Metcalfe
Sharon Martin
Vivienne Hole

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
30 July 2026
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