Why You Should Visit Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary
Looking for an alternative to another day on the beach? Find out more about why you should visit the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary!
When it comes to wildlife and tourism, we won’t take part in or endorse anything that has a negative impact on animal welfare. After doing some research, we decided that we couldn’t in good faith take part in Antigua’s most popular animal activity, Stingray City. Here are some of the reasons why. Instead, we found a responsible way to interact with animals while supporting a local animal welfare organisation, at the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is run by the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society, a registered non-profit organisation formed in 1991. Their mission is to provide programs, services and educational resources to support the relationship between humans and animals in Antigua.
One of their best-known projects is the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary. The sancutuary is home to over 150 jennies, jacks and foals.
The history of donkeys in Antigua can be dated back to the 1630s, when English settlers arrived on the island. Used to transport goods on farms and to markets, these working animals played a vital role of the development of Antigua’s production. As the sugar industry in Antigua went into decline in the mid 20th century, and pick-up trucks became the new transport method du jour, the need for donkeys was significantly diminished.
However, despite them no longer being used as a working animal, donkeys are still ever-present in Antigua. It’s estimated that over 400 of them live in the wild across the island. As we drove around the island, we had numerous sightings of adult and young donkeys alongside the narrow roads.
Sadly, donkeys in Antigua are often considered as pests to local businesses and homes. Despite their cute appearance, wild donkeys can cause serious issues for farmers in Antigua. Breaking through hedges and fences, a handful of unruly donkeys can easily devastate an entire field of crops. Wild donkeys in Antigua have also been known to find their way into rubbish bins and break irrigation machinery.
Lost donkeys are also at risk, from vehicles, dogs and the effects of drought. When they’re roaming freely, a donkey in the road can cause serious accidents, resulting in injuries to both road users and the donkeys themselves. Many of the donkeys brought to the Sanctuary are injured through accidents or intentional abuse.
Although the Sanctuary castrates all Stallions on arrival, many mares arrive already in foal, as their gestation period is 12 months. As a result, the sanctuary is also home to young donkeys born on-site. And yes, they’re VERY cute.
We visited the donkey sanctuary on a Friday morning. First up – a dicey navigation of the dirt track entrance in our rental hatchback. No damage done, just some very slow movement and pothole avoidance!
Once we’d parked up, we headed into the sanctuary’s visitor reception to announce our arrival. We were given brushes and a quick introduction to the sanctuary, then headed over to the expansive paddock to meet some of our new friends. The sanctuary was quiet, with only one other family in attendance.
Not all of the donkeys reside in the public access area – in fact, many are in separate grazing areas, living semi-free in the surrounding area. It’s only those that are comfortable interacting with humans that you’ll get close to on your visit. The donkeys in this area are very calm and relaxed when approached – although it’s advised not to approach suddenly from behind, or while they’re feeding.
We’d arrived at peak feeding time, so some of the donkeys were pretty occupied with breakfast. However, some of the others were relaxing in the shade of the trees. We spent some time getting to know them and brushing down their coats. Grooming the donkeys is important, as it keeps their coat healthy and temperature regulated. And from their reactions, they definitely enjoy a good brush down!
One donkey in particular, Prince, took a shine to us and followed around the paddock for more pets and brushes. Adorable little attention seeker.
Entry to the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary is completely free of charge, however the Humane Society rely on donations for upkeep and animal care. The average life expectancy of a donkey is around 30 years, and each donkey’s care costs around $250 a year. With 150 of them, that’s a pretty massive running cost. Contributions are accepted in cash, by card, or via GoFundMe.
The sanctuary also offers the opportunity for visitors to sponsor one of their adorable residents, which is $30 for a year’s adoption. After his cheeky stalking antics, we couldn’t resist contributing to Prince’s care at the sanctuary. Find out more about the sanctuary’s adoption programme here.
If you’re looking for a more ethical way to interact with animals in Antigua, the Donkey Sanctuary is a great alternative activity. The impressive work the Humane Society do for animal welfare in Antigua is commendable; and the donkeys themselves are a pleasure to encounter.
Getting to Antigua Donkey Sanctuary
The Antigua Donkey Sanctuary is located close to the town of Bethesda, on the island’s east side, a short drive from English Harbour.
Heads up if you’re driving a rental car in Antigua – the final stretch of road to the sanctuary is a gravel/dirt path. Although it’s wide enough to navigate easily, we found the uneven road conditions a slightly stressful experience in our low-to-the-ground hatchback!
Upon arrival, the gates are closed – to enter, just toot your horn and someone will open it for you.
Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-3pm (and most public holidays).
Admission Fee: Free, but donations to keep the sanctuary running are greatly appreciated. Card payments accepted for the small gift shop and donkey sponsorship.
Accessibility: The sanctuary is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a flat path around the paddock, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet.
