After being displaced and forced out of their previous home, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary and its rescues have landed at Hope’s doorstep!
Western Cape, South Africa (28 January 2026) – The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary endured one of its most stressful periods last year, but it has just hit a hopeful note for the future.
For over a decade, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary has rescued neglected, abused, and abandoned donkeys, serving as a permanent safe haven providing medical care, rehabilitation and a peaceful life for not only donkeys but horses and other farm animals, too.
Last year, the organisation had to leave the rental property it occupied in Prince Albert after falling short on funding to purchase the land. Hope was lost when a supporter’s pledge, which would’ve helped secure the property, turned out to be bogus, leaving the sanctuary’s animals without shelter in the dead of winter.
At the 11th hour, angels showed up…
“2025 was a year that pushed us to the brink, tested our resolve, and reminded us — in the most profound ways – why this work matters,” says Jonno Sherwin, Founder and CEO of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary.
With the help of a small group of angel investors, they were finally able to purchase a 500-hectare farm at the base of the famous Meringspoort in De Rust.
The farm’s name is ‘Die Hoop’ which literally means ‘The Hope.’
“This land is a sanctuary of safety, grazing, albeit sadly not now due to the crippling drought in the area, shelter, pristine air and peace for the 400 rescued animals in their care who have all already endured too much,” says Sherwin. “This move was not just physical. It was a spiritual lifeline.”
The sanctuary and its animals have started their new chapter. While an ongoing drought still poses challenges, the farm is the ideal space for donkeys to roam.
Looking ahead, the organisation needs support toward its goal of becoming self-sustainable.
“With a working expense of R250 000 per month, we urgently need donors to support us and our crusade. We also encourage people to become a part of the Long Ears Club – people who donate anything from R100 per month,” says Sherwin. “This will help us provide daily feed, shelter, veterinary care and love for every rescued donkey, horse and farm animal in our care. Costs remain extremely high, and we rely entirely on donations to survive.”
Supporting the sanctuary means supporting rescues like Mercy, who was found roaming the Karoo alone without food and water. Her body was ravaged by heat and relentless flies. She was moments from death. A desperate drone search and rapid rescue brought her to safety, where months of intensive care slowly restored her strength.
“Today, Mercy walks freely across green fields, healthy, loved, and alive because someone cared enough to act,” says Sherwin.
Then there’s Meisie, who worked for years as a ‘guard donkey,’ protecting flocks of sheep out on a farm with no shelter, proper food or veterinary care. By the time she reached the sanctuary, her hooves were broken and she could barely walk. After specialised farrier care and months of rehabilitation, Meisie now lives a beautiful life with her foster family, surrounded by love and amazing care.
The new space has made way for bigger dreams, like building a dedicated rehabilitation barn and medical facility, which would allow veterinarians to perform urgent and lifesaving procedures on site. They would also like to expand education and advocacy programmes to fight cruelty and raise awareness about the global donkey skin trade, which still threatens millions of donkeys worldwide. Beyond that, the sanctuary is also looking into launching a mobile rescue unit to respond rapidly to equines in distress across the Western Cape region.
“Our dreams are big but we can only start expanding once our current facility is self sustainable,” says Sherwin.
If you would like to support the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, visit this link or email jonno@karoodonkey.org.
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