Karoo Donkey Sanctuary Launches 'Long Ears Club' to Secure Lifelong Care for Over 400 Animals
A chance encounter with four rescued donkeys 13 years ago irrevocably altered the trajectory of Jonno Sherwin’s life. Today, that initial spark of empathy has blossomed into the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, a prominent South African refuge currently protecting over 400 animals, including horses, cattle, and geese, alongside a core herd of 140 donkeys.
A Philosophy of Permanent Sanctuary
Unlike standard rescue groups that rehome animals, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary provides a forever home. After years of experience—including a massive 2017 operation that saved 236 donkeys from slaughter for the donkey skin trade—the sanctuary learned that traumatized animals thrive best when kept permanently within their established herds.
"When a donkey arrives here, we don’t promise to care for them until they’re better—we promise to care for them for the rest of their lives," says founder Jonno Sherwin. "They trust that breakfast will arrive every morning, and our responsibility is to make sure that trust is never broken."
Conservation and Recent Hardships
The sanctuary's impact extends beyond animal care. Nestled on a 520-hectare property near the Swartberg Mountains, it manages the newly formed Meiringspoort Private Nature Reserve, which is currently pursuing formal Provincial Nature Reserve status through CapeNature.
Maintaining this scale of care has proven challenging amid recent severe floods, soaring feed prices driven by drought, and ongoing legal advocacy against the donkey skin trade.
How the Long Ears Club Helps
Monthly recurring donations through the Long Ears Club directly fund:
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Lifelong Care: Continuous nutrition, shelter, and expert veterinary treatment for permanent residents.
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Emergency Interventions: Rapid response capability for urgent rescue operations, such as the drone-assisted rescue of Mercy, a severely neglected horse now fully recovered.
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Advocacy & Conservation: National campaigns protecting South Africa's donkey population and ongoing stewardship of the Meiringspoort ecosystem.
To join the Long Ears Club or support the sanctuary's mission, visit the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary website.
About the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary
Founded in 2013, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary provides lifelong refuge for rescued donkeys, horses and other vulnerable farm animals. Located in the Klein Karoo, the sanctuary combines animal rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, advocacy, education and conservation while protecting the Meiringspoort Private Nature Reserve within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Swartberg Mountains. Every rescued animal receives sanctuary for life, ensuring they never again face neglect, abuse or abandonment.