19/06/2026
URGENT APPEAL: HELP US PROTECT SOUTH AFRICA'S DONKEYS
Over the past several months, our Founder, Jonno Sherwin, has worked tirelessly to expose the realities of South Africa's donkey skin trade and advocate for stronger protections for donkeys nationwide.
He has engaged directly with government officials, including the Minister of Agriculture, calling on South Africa to align with the African Union's historic 15-year moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins and body parts.
The African Union's decision was not made lightly. It followed growing concern over the catastrophic decline of donkey populations across Africa, driven by the international demand for donkey skins used in the production of ejiao.
While many African nations have acted to protect their remaining donkey populations, South Africa has chosen a different path.
Rather than adopting the African Union moratorium, South Africa currently permits the legal slaughter of up to 10,500 donkeys annually under a controlled export model.
Over the past several months, we have repeatedly written to the Minister of Agriculture and senior officials within the Department of Agriculture, urging government to reconsider its position and align South Africa with the rest of the continent. Despite these repeated submissions and requests for engagement, we have yet to receive a substantive response addressing the serious concerns we have raised.
While government remains silent, thousands of donkeys continue to enter South Africa's legal slaughter pipeline.
Through our investigations, we have uncovered deeply disturbing welfare concerns, including pregnant mares, lactating mothers and young foals being held in pre-slaughter facilities. We have documented animals suffering from neglect and poor welfare conditions, and we have exposed incidents of cruelty, abuse and even the glorification of donkey slaughter on social media.
This work is essential.
But it comes at a cost.
Every investigation.
Every meeting.
Every submission to government.
Every kilometre travelled.
Every effort to expose cruelty and hold decision-makers accountable has been self-funded.
Today, we face a difficult reality.
Without urgent financial support, our ability to continue this critical advocacy work is at risk.
If South Africa continues on its current trajectory, we genuinely fear that donkeys could disappear from many parts of our country within a generation. In some regions, the decline is already evident. Across Africa, donkey populations have already suffered significant losses as a direct consequence of the skin trade, which is precisely why the African Union took the unprecedented step of calling for a continent-wide moratorium.
This is no longer simply an animal welfare issue.
It is a conservation issue.
It is a rural livelihoods issue.
It is a food security issue for vulnerable communities that depend on donkeys for transport, water collection and subsistence farming.
It is an ethical issue.
And it is a defining moment for the future of one of humanity's oldest and most loyal companions.
Please help us continue this fight.
Your donation will help us:
• Feed and care for rescued donkeys and other sanctuary animals.
• Continue vital investigations into donkey welfare and slaughter practices.
• Engage with government and policymakers.
• Raise public awareness and educate communities.
• Advocate for stronger protections for donkeys across South Africa.
• Continue exposing cruelty wherever it occurs.
No donation is too small. Every contribution makes a difference.
DONATION DETAILS
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Name: Karoo Donkey Sanctuary
Account Number: 30 0874 049
Branch Code: 000410
International SWIFT : SBZAZAJJ
Standard Bank Group Limited (South Africa)
Reference: Help + Your Name
For Section 18A tax certificates, please email proof of donation to [email protected].
Together, we have already achieved remarkable things.
Together, we can continue to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Together, we can continue holding those in power accountable.
And together, we can help ensure that future generations inherit a South Africa where donkeys are protected, respected and valued — not slaughtered into extinction.
Thank you for standing with us.
