These folks take tremendous care of each and every donkey or mule that comes their way! Medical, health, feeding, exercise and lots of attention is showered on all the abused and neglected burros they rescue. This is a place worthy of everyone’s consideration and visit. To see the burros in person is a rare treat! This rescue certainly is a tremendous cause to advance and donate to. God speed!
I wanted to see what donkeys were all about so I took a wonderful, personal tour at Rancho Burro with just my husband. It was delightful and informative! First, the enthusiastic director called in advance to make sure we had the correct address, met us at the ranch gate, and showed us where to park. Then she and two other women, including one of the founders, guided us around to meet the donkeys, letting us pet them and stroke their ears, all the while learning about donkey care and behaviors, as well as the residents' individual personalities and stories. It's a beautiful, brand new facility. The staff we met were friendly and committed to their work. Not only do they provide these lucky donkeys with the best care imaginable, they also enable people to have emotional support experiences with donkeys. If you're in the SLO area, I highly recommend taking a tour!
My husband and I visited the Sanctuary today. We live in Los Angeles and had heard about it from some friends that had visited a few weeks ago. This was well worth the three hour drive to get there. The owners and volunteers were so warm and welcoming and you can see that the animals are well taken care of and loved. They are more like family with four legs and big ears. The work that they do in saving these wonderful donkeys and burros is wonderful and with their new location they will be able to save even more. I encourage everyone to visit, donate and become more aware of the plight of these beautiful animals.
We really, really enjoyed our tour at Rancho Burro with Nancy and Jim. They were fantastic and we learned a lot about donkeys and their work at the sanctuary during our one-hour visit. And the donkeys are just amazing, beautiful, special animals. They were very social and seemed to love the attention we gave them. Donkey hugs are highly recommended! We will definitely be back for another visit in the future and encourage others to support this wonderful non-profit.
I really enjoyed meeting all the donkeys at Rancho Burro during my private tour! They are all very sweet creatures.
It was very informative and I look forward to seeing the new facility in the near future.
Karen
My friends and I went here for an afternoon of painting, eating, drinking some wine, and meeting donkeys. It was so much fun!
The facility is incredibly clean. Donkeys well cared for. Friendly and very helpful volunteers.
From start to finish it was such a nice experience. I can’t say enough about it. The food was really good too!
If you are thinking about doing this, just do it! You will be helping donkeys in need and you’ll have a wonderful afternoon. Well worth it!
I left Rancho Burro with a complete feeling of Joy. This experience was a way to actively engage and make a difference in the world while at the same time enjoy some of the best inward and outward beauty that the Central Coast has to offer. These wonderful animals each have their own personality that you can notice right away as you interact with and observe them. If you live around here or are just passing through or maybe just want to support from afar, this is the place! Thank you so much to the “people” side of Rancho Burro for taking on such a worthy cause and all the work and dedication it takes in order to make this happen!!!
I decided I wanted to celebrate a milestone birthday in a meaningful way and I chose a tour at Rancho Burro which provides a donation to the donkeys. Our group of 8 all left with big smiles and full of hope. This Rescue is doing a wonderful job caring for donkeys in need and offering therapeutic experiences for humans too. I highly recommend supporting Rancho Burro. Thank you to the volunteers /ranch owners and the donkeys for a great visit. Anja
I’m a current volunteer at RBDS. I have been volunteering once a week for over 5 years. The love, attention and care theses once abused/neglected donkeys receive at RBDS is above and beyond what anyone would expect. The team that Carlen and Jim have put together from the volunteer, staff and all the way up to the professionals vets they use are the best in the area. The joy these beautiful donkeys bring to others is also a high priory for RBDS. They set up and give tours to everyone They also provide specialized tours to the elderly and individuals who may have some physical or intellectual challenges so they can have a fun filled tour experience. Love, care, respect, awareness, shareable knowledge, community support are a few things you will find at RBDS every day. ~Matt
Burro Sanctuary is an extraordinary non-profit organization! Founded by the lovely Carlen & Jim, where they pour their boundless care & resources into the well-being of rescued and neglected donkeys. From my initial role as a volunteer to my current position as a staff member at this sanctuary, I've witnessed the remarkable commitment of the entire team from staff to volunteers, where we all have come together to work harmoniously to create a haven of comfort & security for the donkeys. In return, the donkeys have profoundly impacted my life & many others, unveiling their incredible and awe-inspiring nature.
I have been volunteering at Rancho Burro for eight months. These are the most loved and cared for four-legged friends I have encountered. Well-fed, groomed, exercised, fawned-over and massaged. every need is seen to, including regular vet care, feet trimming and even massage therapy.
It is one of the highs of my week to be with them. And soon, they will be in their new home with all the modern conveniences.
I’ve now been to Rancho Burro twice and have two incredibly memorable experiences under my belt. Obviously, with significant thanks to the sweet donkeys, but also with great thanks to Laura, Carlen, and Jim. This team is generous with their time, allowing my friends and myself spend time getting to know each donkey and develop powerful bonds. Listening to their tremendous knowledge and funny donkey stories is also a treat!
Rancho Burro prioritizes the donkeys at all costs and truly created a sanctuary for them - it’s inspiring to witness. These animals are unique in their ability to intuitively respond to different needs of people, and they do it so selflessly, so it’s amazing to see the haven that was created for them, because they need love, care, attention, and kindness too.
Personally, I find spending time with animals, and specifically donkeys, therapeutic and healing. I’d encourage anyone that is dealing with trauma, mental illness, or are differently abled, to make a visit. I know it will be special.
I’m so grateful that a place like Rancho Burro exists and I’ll continue to be a supporter through their growth!
Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary is my Happy Place! I look forward to seeing my four- and two-legged friends every week. The team takes such good care of the donkeys (and one mule). Plus, the sanctuary is a tremendous asset to the area, providing forever homes for abused and neglected donkeys and education for people.
Shortly after retirement, I found myself with time on my hands. I started looking for a meaningful way to give back. I was SO fortunate to find Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary! Jim and Carlen, the founders of Rancho Burro welcomed me to join thier amazing team of care givers, where I volunteer two days a week. For me, being a part, in some small way, to help facilitate the ongoing mission to provide care, rehabilitation and a safe, loving, lifetime home to these amazing creatures, has been rewarding beyond measure! The length at which these donkeys....and 1 mule, have been provided with healthy, balanced food, medical care, physical therapy, love and affection is heart warming to witness. Funny, when you think about it, I came to the sanctuary to give back, but in reality, I am the one receiving SO MUCH MORE! The opportunity to get to know each of these animals more intimately, see thier personalities unfold and learn about thier stories warms my heart. Without question, Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary provides a vital role in the community.
Stacey G.
I have been working with this sanctuary for 2 years, and I cannot express how amazing Rancho Burro is. From how they care for the animals to how they treat their staff and volunteers, Rancho Burro truly is a sanctuary. The time and energy they devote to each and every donkey and their unique needs are truly admirable. I have witnessed how they transform fearful donkeys who came from neglect or abuse into trusting and happy donkeys through endless patience, dedication, and personal sacrifices. They will go to any extent to ensure every donkey gets what they need, whether it be veterinary medicine, chiropractic services, or some good old TLC. In just 2 years, this place has even become my sanctuary. Through healing animals, we heal ourselves, and there is no better place than the Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary and its team.
The stars of Rancho burro are the 12 little donkeys, one draft mule and a mammoth donkey. The amazing founders - Carlen and Jim Eckford along with the staff and volunteers help give these animals a second chance to live out the remainder of their lives knowing true kindness.
Upon arrival first thing you will notice is how spotless everything is. Then you’ll notice how well groomed these donkey are, fly masks and fly blankets, some wearing specials boots because their hooves were so badly damaged from years of neglect. It makes you feel good to know that these 14 animals living at Rancho burro have a great life and will have a great future. When you see them out in the pasture they just look happy. It’s a delight to see how well the animals are taken care of. And given some of the circumstances these donkeys were rescued from, and how gentle and kind they are today, it’s testament to all of the kindness, care and love that they have received since being rescued.
Jim, Carlen, Laura and Arturo and all the volunteers, keep up the good work.
As one of the volunteers it’s a pleasure to work with such a great staff and dedicated volunteers. The perks are amazing - 14 - 4 legged friends who never argue with me, they are always happy to see me and they never make comments about bad hair days or goofy clothing. What’s not to love. It’s a great place to volunteer.
My wife and I visited Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary about a month ago and just…Wow!!!
Jim, Carlen, and their team were so informative and shared all of the donkeys rescue journeys before coming to Rancho Burro.
These burros are so loved and cared for and it’s just remarkable how clean. They keep the sanctuary grounds!
We ended up, sponsoring a partially blind donkey named Polly, whose resillance and sweetness is beyond measure!
We will definitely continue to visit and support Rancho Burro donkey sanctuary!
Rancho borough donkey sanctuary saved my life. They gave me a purpose and a reason to keep going. When things were really bad, they have been supportiven loving and friendly. And the donkeys have the most love to give that I have ever seen in my life. They truly are my family.
Rancho Burro is an extraordinary place, saving donkeys in need and giving them them vital care and a safe, loving, forever-home. My visit was so meaningful for getting to hear the compelling back-stories and witness the deep commitment of the founders, staff and volunteers, dedicated to the well-being of these sweet and intelligent creatures. Then of course the donkeys themselves with such wonderful and distinct personalities. Here's to Rancho Burro's love, care, commitment and vision into the future. Thank you for changing so many lives, mine included!
Two of my friends and I recently visited the Sanctuary for the first time. It was a wonderful experience. We were able to pet and hug the donkeys and learn about their histories. We saw how they lived and how they spent their days.... Laura, an employee, and a long time volunteer hosted us for the visit and both were extremely knowledgeable, committed to the welfare of the donkeys and friendly. We will definitely visit again.
Rancho Burro is such a special place and we had no idea we had a donkey sanctuary in our back yard!
Jim, Carlen, Laura, the Rancho Burro Team, and donkeys welcomed our group in the most special of ways.
The donkeys are so well cared for and loved and the sanctuary grounds were impeccably clean and inviting.
If you live in the SLO County area or are visiting the Central Coast, we would definitely recommend a visit.
They are not open to the public but they do have private donation-based tours upon request on their website.
They do an excellent job taking care of abused donkeys. So many donkeys are mistreated and misunderstood. Thank you for all you do.
Reached out via the website and scheduled a private viewing. Magical. Jim was a tremendously gracious host. Can’t thank them enough.