Our Mission & Inspiration

Our journey to create Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary began with a heartbreaking encounter. We met Harry, a sweet and gentle donkey abandoned in a field by the side of a highway.  Neglected by his owner, Harry's only sustenance was weeds, with no balanced diet or consistent access to water. Sadly, Harry perished due to this neglect before we could intervene.

Witnessing Harry's suffering ignited a fire within us. In his honor, we founded Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in 2016 with the mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifetime homes for abused, abandoned, and neglected donkeys. We are dedicated to promoting their well-being and raising awareness about their plight.

Since then, countless donkeys have found solace and love at Rancho Burro. Each rescued donkey fuels our determination to advocate for these often-forgotten animals. Our sanctuary has become a haven of healing where donkeys receive the medical care, nutrition, and love they deserve.  We witness miracles every day as broken spirits are revived, and neglected donkeys rediscover joy.

And something truly remarkable happens here.  We witness how our healed donkeys recognize trauma in others and actively participate in helping to heal new arrivals to our community.  They offer comfort and companionship, demonstrating the power of empathy and resilience.  Their healing touch extends to our human visitors, too.  These gentle animals seem to have an innate ability to sense and soothe emotional wounds, offering a unique and powerful form of comfort.

Rancho Burro is not just a sanctuary for animals; it's a place where compassion and empathy flourish.  We are forever grateful to Harry for inspiring us to make a difference. His memory lives on in our hearts and continues to drive our mission to give a voice to the voiceless.