El Refugio del Burrito

What El Refugio del Burrito does

El Refugio del Burrito is a Spanish nonprofit organization dedicated to donkey welfare, operating two physical sanctuaries in Málaga and Badajoz and affiliated with The Donkey Sanctuary (UK), its parent foundation established in 1969. The organization was founded in Spain in the 1970s and has consolidated a position over more than 50 years as a self-described world leader in donkey welfare. Its direct care portfolio covers 205 burros and mules (2024), with 76 burros placed in foster homes across Spain and 876 donkey lives improved through expert advice in the same year.

The organization's offering combines sanctuary operations, a donkey adoption program, an extensive educational and clinical resource library (including the El Aliado Clínico del Burro veterinary reference book, the Donkey Care Manual, and online fact sheets), and the Proyecto Platero professional-expert network. In October 2025 it launched its first in-person veterinary training program, 'Manejo y Cuidados Clínicos del Burro', aimed at equine veterinarians. Revenue is generated entirely through donations — one-time gifts of 10–30 EUR, recurring monthly support starting at 3 EUR, a Teaming platform micro-donation of 1 EUR per month, adoption program subscriptions, legacy giving, and merchandise sales via an e-commerce storefront — with payments processed through Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, PayPal, Apple Pay and SEPA. Operational reach extends internationally via the parent organization into the UK, Ireland, Italy, Kenya and Peru.

The organization employs 9 staff, is run as a charity with no venture or public-market financing, and pursues advocacy campaigns such as 'Para la Masacre' against the donkey skin trade alongside joint regulatory action (e.g., the 2026 trial concerning donkey deaths in the Desert de les Palmes natural park). Marketing is executed across Facebook, Instagram, X, email newsletters, blogs, and in-person forums. Customer segments span individual donors, donkey owners and guardians, veterinarians and welfare professionals, and government/authority stakeholders.

Name

El Refugio del Burrito

Legal name

El Refugio del Burrito

Website

https://elrefugiodelburrito.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

El Refugio del Burrito is a 9-employee Spanish nonprofit donkey welfare organization operating two sanctuaries in Málaga and Badajoz, affiliated with The Donkey Sanctuary (UK), funded by donations, adoptions, and merchandise to support rescue, rehoming, education, and policy advocacy for donkeys and mules.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Animal welfare services
• Donkey rescue sanctuary
• Nonprofit animal charity
• Equine care services
• Veterinary training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Málaga

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, starting from 3 EUR per month, providing relief to suffering donkeys and supporting sanctuary operations, veterinary care, food, and shelter construction.
2. Adoption Program: Monthly subscription-based program where supporters adopt donkeys in need, helping to rehome burros and provide ongoing care through regular contributions.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce shop selling merchandise to supporters, generating revenue while promoting the organization's mission and brand.
4. Teaming Platform: Micro-donation platform allowing monthly contributions of 1 EUR per month from supporters, leveraging collective giving for impact.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

El Refugio del Burrito rescues, rehabilitates, and provides lifelong care to donkeys, mules, and hinnies at two sanctuary sites in Málaga and Badajoz, Spain. Beyond direct animal care, it runs an adoption program, accepts donations and sponsorships, distributes free educational resources to schools, and offers professional training courses for veterinarians and equine professionals. The organization functions as the Spanish affiliate of the UK-based The Donkey Sanctuary.

Product overview

El Refugio del Burrito operates as a donkey sanctuary organization offering a portfolio of animal welfare products and services. The core offerings include two sanctuaries (in Málaga and Badajoz) providing direct care for 205 donkeys and mules, and a donkey adoption program for rehoming. Supporting these are educational resources for donkey owners (care manuals, fact sheets, courses) and professional resources including the "El Aliado Clínico del Burro" veterinary reference book and the Proyecto Platero professional expert network. In 2025, the organization launched a pioneering veterinary training program on donkey clinical management. All offerings center on improving donkey welfare through direct care, education, and professional capacity building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donkey Rescue, Rehabilitation and Sanctuary Care Rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong care for donkeys, mules and hinnies provided at two sanctuary sites in Málaga and Badajoz, Spain. The service includes shelter, feeding, veterinary treatment and ongoing welfare support for animals taken in by the organization.
• Donkey Adoption Program Charity-supervised adoption program that allows individuals and families to adopt rescued donkeys. Applicants complete an application form and, where appropriate, are matched with a donkey, supported by the organization throughout the adoption relationship.
• Donations and Sponsorship Programs Charitable giving programs including one-off donations, regular giving, and symbolic sponsorship of individual donkeys. Funds support the operating costs of the sanctuary, including animal care, veterinary treatment and outreach.
• Educational Resources for Schools and Families Free downloadable teaching materials, guides and resources for schools, teachers and families on topics including donkey welfare, respect for animals, and related curricula. Designed for classroom and home learning use.
• Professional Veterinary Training Courses Specialized training courses for veterinarians and equine professionals on donkey care, addressing knowledge gaps in donkey-specific veterinary education. Delivered in partnership with The Donkey Sanctuary and external sector organizations.
• Guides on Donkey Welfare Practical guides published by the organization covering donkey care, welfare considerations, and respectful treatment of donkeys, intended for owners, adopters and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 205 burros and mules under direct care
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Donkey Sanctuary (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization of El Refugio del Burrito. The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader in donkey welfare, operating internationally including in UK, Ireland, and Kenya. The partnership involves collaborative projects such as the Peru community donkey owner training initiative with local organization Innovar y Compatir, and sharing of expertise and resources across the organization.
• FAADA (Fundación para el Asesoramiento y Acción en Defensa de los Animales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish animal defense foundation collaborating with El Refugio del Burrito and other organizations (Donkey Dreamland, Todos los Caballos del Mundo) to present evidence of animal welfare deficiencies to Mijas Town Council and offer expert assistance.
• Donkey DreamlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish donkey welfare organization partnering with El Refugio del Burrito on advocacy efforts, specifically collaborating on Mijas Town Council welfare concerns.
• Todos los Caballos del MundominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquine welfare organization collaborating with El Refugio del Burrito and other groups on donkey welfare advocacy in Spain, particularly regarding Mijas Town Council initiatives.
• Innovar y Compatir (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Peruvian organization working with The Donkey Sanctuary (parent organization) on a collaborative project providing training and essential equipment to rural donkey owner communities in Peru, including construction of donkey shelters supported by CERF funding.
• The Donkey Sanctuary KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan branch of the Donkey Sanctuary organization. Collaboration involves sharing expertise on donkey welfare issues, including research on plastic ingestion causing fatal damage to donkeys in Lamu, Kenya.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SPANA: Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad - international equine welfare charity providing veterinary care and community education. Comparable donor-supported model and equine-focused mission.
• The Brooke: Global equine welfare charity operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable in mission (working equine welfare), donor-supported charity model, and training-of-professionals approach.
• Todos los Caballos del Mundo: Spanish equine welfare organization collaborating with El Refugio del Burrito on donkey welfare advocacy. Comparable as a domestic equine welfare nonprofit in the same regional market.
• Donkey Dreamland: Spanish donkey rescue and welfare organization partnering with El Refugio del Burrito on advocacy. Directly comparable as a national donkey sanctuary operator with rehoming focus.
• The Horse Trust: UK equine welfare charity providing sanctuary care, veterinary training, and research. Comparable as equine-focused charity with sanctuary, professional training, and educational resource offerings.
• The Donkey Sanctuary: UK-based parent organization and global leader in donkey welfare. Operates sanctuaries, advocacy, and training programs internationally, directly comparable as El Refugio del Burrito's strategic anchor and shared mission focus.
• FAADA: Spanish foundation for animal defense and action. Comparable as a domestic animal welfare nonprofit collaborating with El Refugio del Burrito on policy advocacy and welfare campaigns.
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary: UK-based equine sanctuary operating rescue, rehoming, and welfare programs. Comparable sanctuary operations, foster/rehome model, and donor-funded nonprofit structure.
• World Horse Welfare: International equine welfare charity operating sanctuaries and advocacy campaigns. Comparable mission, sanctuary operations, and government advisory role.

Emerging players

• Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue: US-based donkey rescue operating sanctuary, adoption, and training programs. Comparable in species focus and rehoming model but primarily serves North American market rather than direct competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/refugioburrito
• Facebookfacebook.com/elrefugiodelburrito
• Instagraminstagram.com/elrefugiodelburrito
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/el-refugio-del-burrito

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Refugio del Burrito