Aruba 365
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Aruba 365
A countryside refuge for Aruba's rescued donkeys
The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is a heart-warming, volunteer-run refuge in the dry countryside near Santa Cruz, dedicated to caring for the island's donkeys. Donkeys were brought to Aruba centuries ago as working animals, and as cars took over many were left to roam wild, where they faced traffic and hardship. The sanctuary took them in, and today it shelters a herd of friendly, well-cared-for animals.
Visitors are welcome to walk among the donkeys, feed and pet them, and learn their stories from the volunteers who run the place. The animals are gentle and used to people, which makes the sanctuary a favourite with children and a feel-good stop on any island tour. Carrots and apples are usually sold on site to feed them.
The sanctuary is a non-profit that relies on donations and volunteers to keep going, so a visit directly supports its work. It is a relaxed, unhurried place set among the cactus and scrub of the interior, away from the resort areas around Palm Beach.
Go in the morning when the donkeys are most active and the heat is gentler, bring small cash for a donation and feed, and follow the volunteers' guidance around the animals.
It is a volunteer-run, non-profit refuge in the countryside near Santa Cruz that cares for the island's donkeys. Brought to Aruba long ago as working animals, many were left to roam wild before the sanctuary took them in.
Entry is free, but the sanctuary is a non-profit that runs on donations and volunteers, so a donation is warmly welcomed and directly funds the animals' care.
Yes. Carrots and apples are usually sold on site to feed the donkeys, which are gentle and used to people. Follow the volunteers' guidance around the animals.
Very much so. The donkeys are friendly and approachable, and feeding and petting them makes it a favourite feel-good stop for families on an island tour. Go in the morning when they are most active.
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