Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

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"In the rough desert interior of an island known for its beaches, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary houses and cares for some of the island’s most vulnerable early immigrants. These adorable equines were brought to the island as beasts of burden during the colonial era and then, when their usefulness came to an end, they were released to fend for themselves. They thrived in packs until overpopulation made them a nuisance. Many of the “wild” donkeys were shot, fed to visiting circus animals and hit by cars. On top of that, their population was decimated by disease, and they nearly died out. However, in the mid-twentieth century, a movement began to save the Aruban donkeys, and today the humble non-profit sanctuary provides food, shelter, and medical care to almost two hundred animals. Visitors can feed and pet the donkeys, and locals are encouraged to adopt them." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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"A long-running sanctuary where visitors can interact with and cuddle rescued donkeys, participate in daily caretaker activities, and learn about the animals that have lived on the island for centuries; the sanctuary celebrated its 25th anniversary this year." - AFAR

"Donkeys were once the main mode of transportation on Aruba , but after cars arrived, they were left to wander the island without purpose. To give the abandoned animals a permanent home, the island founded this sanctuary in 1997. Free and family-friendly, the not-oft-visited site features more than 130 rescued donkeys, which guests can pet, groom, and feed (bags of food are available at a charge). There’s also a visitor center where you can find human refreshments, donkey-themed souvenirs, and screenings of educational videos."