Our story

In 1969, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen's decision to buy a donkey named Naughty Face would alter the fate of incalculable numbers of donkeys around the globe in years to come. Discover our history.

1960s

Discover The Donkey Sanctuary's beginnings, and the donkey that started it all.

1970s

In the decade following Dr Svendsen's first donkey, she put into place much of the key work that is still at the heart of what we do today.

1980s

The 1980s were a time of huge growth for The Donkey Sanctuary, which saw Dr Svendsen travelling across the world to help donkeys in need.

1990s

Find out how our work spread to donkeys in new corners of the Earth, and read about the first ever adoption donkeys.

Dr Svendsen with working donkey in Mexico

2000s

The Donkey Sanctuary took great strides into the new millennium, opening its doors in new countries and welcoming the 10,000th donkey into our care.

2010s

Although the great Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE passed away in 2011, The Donkey Sanctuary has carried her legacy forward to help donkeys and mules for years to come.