Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary in Bethesda Village, on Antigua's central-eastern coast, is a rescue and rehabilitation facility for the island's donkey population. Established and operated by the Humane Society of Antigua and Barbuda, the sanctuary provides permanent refuge for donkeys that have been abandoned, mistreated, or left to roam freely following the collapse of the agricultural economy that historically made working animals indispensable across the island.

At any given time, the sanctuary is home to over 150 donkeys of various ages, from elderly animals recovering from years of hard work to young foals born at the facility. The donkeys roam freely across a large fenced hillside property with shaded resting areas, water stations, and grazing land maintained year-round by sanctuary staff and dedicated volunteers. The relaxed, unhurried atmosphere makes for an unusually restful visitor experience compared to the more intense pace of watersports and beach resort activities.

Visitors entering the property are immediately surrounded by curious and sociable donkeys. The animals are thoroughly habituated to human contact and show no fear, often approaching guests looking for affection and food. Feeding sessions using fresh vegetables and fruit—carrots and apples are particularly popular—are straightforwardly arranged and form the highlight of most visits. Staff and volunteers are present throughout opening hours and are happy to share the individual backstories of sanctuary residents and explain the rehabilitation process and funding model in detail.

The sanctuary is particularly well suited to families with young children, for whom the close, gentle contact with the donkeys provides a memorable and educational experience. Older children, teenagers, and adults with an interest in animal welfare will appreciate the opportunity to learn about working animal welfare issues in small island communities and how the sanctuary operates on donations and volunteer labour.

Admission is free, though the facility depends entirely on donations and a small gift shop for its operating costs. Even a modest contribution directly supports the animals' food, veterinary care, and facility maintenance.