About Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary
Welcome to Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, a nonprofit haven where every donkey and mule has a story worth honoring. We are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing a permanent home for abused, abandoned, and neglected animals—many of whom arrive from difficult backgrounds and years of medical neglect.
Beyond healing our herd, we aim to foster a deep sense of belonging and connection within our community. We invite you to experience the remarkably gentle nature and healing power of our donkeys through educational workshops, tours, and events. Thank you for joining us on this journey of second chances.
Our Core Pillars
Mission & Values
Learn about Harry, the sweet donkey who inspired it all, and the deep purpose behind our daily work.
What We Do
Discover our intense daily dedication to the medical and mental rehabilitation of the herd.
Owner Resources
Learn the facts about proper donkey diet, companionship, and behavior to set your herd up for success.
The Hands (and Paws) Behind the Sanctuary
- It takes a dedicated village to provide the intense level of care our rescued herd requires.
Founders & Staff
Led by founders Carlen and Jim Eckford, our team is on the ground 365 days a year. Caring for a rescued herd does not stop for weekends, holidays, or bad weather.
From the early morning feedings to executing advanced physical therapies and managing the complex daily operations of the sanctuary, our staff provides the unwavering consistency and deep love that traumatized animals need to finally feel safe.
Vets
Rehabilitating severely neglected animals requires more than just a safe pasture; it requires top-tier medical intervention.
We are incredibly fortunate to partner with a network of exceptional local veterinarians, highly skilled farriers, and equine specialists. Whether they are taking diagnostic X-rays, managing complex illnesses, or carefully correcting years of severe hoof neglect, these professionals are a crucial extension of our sanctuary family.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the true heartbeat of Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary! This passionate group of individuals gives their time, energy, and love to ensure the sanctuary runs smoothly every single week.
Their hard work covers everything from the heavy lifting of mucking stalls and preparing diets to the quiet, patient work of grooming and socializing our shyer residents. We simply could not provide this level of care without their selfless dedication.
Pest Control Manager
We couldn’t talk about our team without introducing our hardest-working staff member: Binky!
As our Pest Control Manager, this handsome black cat takes his job very seriously. He spends his days carefully patrolling the barn, inspecting the hay storage, and making sure the sanctuary stays completely mouse-free. When he isn’t on duty, Binky loves supervising the volunteers and finding a sunny patch of hay for a well-earned nap.
Visitor Welcoming Committee
Meet the sanctuary’s official greeting team! Our dynamic Beagle duo, Rickie and Lucy, absolutely love people and are always the first to welcome visitors to Rancho Burro.
With their endless enthusiasm and wagging tails, they bring a ton of joyful energy to the property—even if they occasionally have a little too much energy for their own good!
Want to Join the Team?
We are always looking for passionate individuals who want to get their boots dusty and help us care for the herd. Whether you want to volunteer in the barn or help at our special events, we would love to meet you!