With the start of 2026, The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary stands proud after facing a crossroads of heartbreak and hope.
“Last year 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.
The year began under a heavy cloud of uncertainty when the organization faced eviction from the former property that they were occupying and had hoped to buy based on a bogus pledge from one of their supporters. After falling short of being able to purchase the former property in Prince Albert, they were forced off the land under extremely unpleasant and stressful conditions. Through the dead of winter, their animals were turfed out of their shelters and forced to stand in the rain and cold.
Sanctuary of safety
A rescued horse, Mercy, was found alone in the vast Karoo without food and water, her body 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.
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, fittingly named Die Hoop which means “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.”
Today, Mercy walks freely across green fields, healthy, loved, and alive because someone cared enough to act.
“Today, Mercy walks freely across green fields, healthy, loved, and alive because someone cared enough to act,” says Sherwin.
Meisie worked for years as a “guard donkey,” protecting flocks of sheep out on a vast Karoo farm with no shelter, proper food or veterinary care. By the time she reached the Sanctuary, her hooves had formed ‘slippers”, were broken and she could barely walk. After specialized farrier care and months of rehabilitation, Meisie now lives a beautiful life with her foster family, surrounded by love and amazing care.
The organization’s dream for 2026 is both simple and immense, with the most important being that 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.”
Big dreams
Other dreams include building a dedicated rehabilitation barn and medical facility, enabling 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.
Plans are also in place to launch 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 donate to feed, medical emergencies, fencing, and daily care costs contact jonno@karoodonkey.org. You can also sponsor a donkey’s feed at R500 per month and receive a personalized certificate. Email fund@karoodonkey.org for more information.
“We thank every supporter who helped us care for the animals in 2025 and welcome new friends in 2026,” says Sherwin.
