Adopt a donkey at the

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Discover all our donkeys!

Can you support us by adopting one of our beautiful donkeys?

Adopting a donkey at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a wonderful way to welcome an animal into your life, knowing that you'll also be contributing to the care of our donkeys, many of whom are elderly or on palliative care.

Adopting a donkey - or pony, mule or horse - is a brilliant way to make a difference. An animal adoption is a meaningful act of kindness that lasts all year whether it's for you or a gift for a friend or family member. We offer both print and digital adoption packs.

Print donkey adoption packs include:

  • Welcome letter
  • Adoption certificate featuring your donkey's bio
  • Fridge magnet featuring your donkey
  • 'I've adopted at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary' car sticker and fridge magnet. These change every year of your adoption - we hope you'll want to keep adopting and collecting!
  • Thank you postcard

Exclusive updates for adopters throughout the year, including autumn and spring newsletters

New for 2026! Our junior adopters also receive an Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary activity sheet and stickers...

Here is the adoption pack you receive when you adopt a donkey, miniature donkey, pony, Shetland pony, or miniature Shetland pony at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. You get a certificate, a printed newsletter and sometimes a gift catalogue.

Standard adoption pack

Here is the adoption pack you receive when you adopt a donkey, miniature donkey, pony, Shetland pony, or miniature Shetland pony at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. You get a certificate, a printed newsletter and sometimes a gift catalogue.

Junior adoption pack

Digital adoption packs

Choosing a digital adoption helps us reduce print and postage costs, ensuring that more of your donation directly supports our donkeys' care.

Digital adoptions arrive via email within 3 working days, while printed adoptions are delivered within 10 days (Royal Mail delivery times may vary).


Our digital adoption packs are thoughtfully curated to include:

  • A digital certificate
  • A selection of photos of your adopted animal
  • A video of your adopted animal
  • Email updates throughout the year including our spring and autumn newsletters

Everything can be shared digitally - perfect for downloading as the wallpaper on your phone!



How to adopt a donkey at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Adopting a donkey is simple, and there are three easy ways to do it:

1. Adopt online using our secure online form.

2. Visit our adoption hub at the sanctuary.

3. Call us on 01983 852693 to arrange your adoption over the phone.

Our adoption cost

Our suggested minimum donation is £3 per month or £36 per year per adoption. Any additional donation is gratefully received and helps us provide care, food and treats for our donkeys.

We take card payments for adoptions made by phone or online. At our adoption hub at the sanctuary we take payments by card or cash.

Gift an adoption

If you need a thoughtful last-minute gift, an online adoption voucher is a perfect choice. You'll receive a link to your adoption voucher instantly via email; the voucher allows your loved one to choose for themselves which of our donkeys, ponies or mule they wish to support. It's a meaningful gift, even at the eleventh hour!

Adoption form