What began as an interest in a lonely donkey has turned into a full-scale donkey rescue mission. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary moved into it’s brand-new, specially-designed facility in San Luis Obispo, CA in January 2025.
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Jim Eckford, Founder and Executive Director and his wife, Carlen, Founder and Medical Director of Rancho Burro fell in love with “Harry” the donkey as he interacted with humans. Harry, abandoned in a field with minimal water and feed sources, was all alone. Still, he greeted visitors and charmed them with his loving and affectionate donkey personality. “Sadly, Harry passed away from neglect, before we could intervene. We appreciated Harry so much, we got two donkeys ourselves – although, we were in our retirement years!” expressed Jim.
Where the Vision for Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary Began
“We soon realized that donkeys were frequently being misunderstood,” Jim began. “They are often underappreciated, not cared for properly and in physical and/or mental pain.” Donkeys are not horses. Their feeding needs are quite different given they are basically desert animals – it’s best to feed straw more than grass hay or pasture. As a result of improper care and feeding many rescue donkeys have hoof and other health issues.
Due to their size and disposition, donkeys are not often ridden like horses or mules are. Horse riding enthusiasts enjoy having donkeys around for other reasons. They are very intelligent, loving and affectionate. They make great horse companions and the larger varieties can pose a deterrent to livestock poachers like coyotes, wolves and mountain lions.
Dreams of a New Sanctuary-Specific Facility
The affectionate qualities of donkeys drew the Eckfords to them. However, the plight of the donkeys drove the vision behind starting the non-profit sanctuary back in 2015. At that time, they kept rescued donkeys at their home on Tiffany Ranch Road in Arroyo Grande. In the meantime, they dreamt of having a facility where the rescue donkeys could be rehabilitated and they could take in more donkeys in need.
After acquiring the perfect place to set their dream in motion, the Eckfords began the process of getting permits to build. Finally, after many hurdles, plans and years of building – Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary has its very own purpose-built home.
Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary’s New Home
Now, Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, located on 45 acres at the base of the foothills off Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo, has expanded and cares for even more residents.
The new sanctuary has many key features like stalls with soft floors that are easy to clean. There is warm water right in the stalls, a medical treatment area, feed room for mixing supplements and meds, hay storage and outside runs. “All our donkeys are in need,” explains Jim. “We don’t adopt these donkeys out. They don’t get better fast, as their needs may be with them for life.” The new facility, staff and volunteers, under Carlen’s and veterinarian’s guidance, can meet the medical needs of these special creatures.
Meet BoBo a Key Ambassador
A mammoth size donkey, BoBo, has been a resident of Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary for the past 10 years. He came to Rancho Burro as an eight-year-old with companion, Rosie. The pair, running loose in Carmel, were picked up and brought to Rancho Burro. Their owner had died and no one was taking care of them.
BoBo’s coat had numerous scabs from rain rot and his feet were in bad shape. His coat cleared up, but the foot issues still plague him. Jim loves to talk about BoBo, “He’s our miracle worker regarding visitors. He greets them and frequently puts his head in the laps of our special needs visitors.”
Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary Expands Its Vision
Expanding the facility also means expanding the vision. The facility is managed primarily by the Ekfords, a few staff members and a handful of treasured volunteers. Now, all are focused on the big vision of expanding the rescuing, rehabilitating and retiring of donkeys in need.
Fundraising Events
The new facility provides room for a variety of events to help fund the sanctuary’s operation. Multiple events – painting workshops, corporate team events, the first fundraising Gala plus a meditation “sound” experience – are on the calendar.
Private Group Education tours give visitors an intimate tour of the facility and an opportunity to meet the donkeys and learn their stories. This option is great for families and school classes.
Corporate Getaway Parties at Rancho Burro provide a fun environment for meetings, brainstorming activities, or morale boosting events. Tables set in the barn aisle surrounded by inquisitive furry faces with delightfully long ears and the occasional bray is the best location to makes people smile.
Local horse organization’s meetings can be scheduled here. Tap into the educational aspect along with the convenience of being centrally located within SLO County.
Stay at Polly’s Place Guest House
A lovely three-bedroom guest house sits in an ideal spot within the sanctuary. Polly’s Place sleeps six people and is available for stays at the sanctuary.
Donations and Giving Options
Donations of one-time or monthly can help fund the sanctuary. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary has a 501c3 non-profit status. There are a variety of other giving options like sponsorship, charitable giving, a gift shop and more.
Spreading Joy to the Community
The donkeys have a purpose: spreading joy. Their delightful faces, their inquisitive nature and affectionate actions bring joy to humans. The mission statement of Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary states:
“Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and give lifetime homes to abused, abandoned, and neglected donkeys and mules. We strive to create positive change in our community through various initiatives and educational programs sharing the healing and goodness of donkeys.”
Often, groups of special-needs people and struggling people come to experience the joy and healing of interacting with these donkeys who are ambassadors of love. These donkeys bring love and joy.
How will you help these ambassadors of love spread joy to the community? Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary needs you to help them rescue, rehabilitate and retire donkeys.
Photo credit: Sharon Jantzen Photos
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