Corfu Donkey Rescue
Registered Charity No. 1178

Corfu Donkey Rescue relies solely on people who will work for nothing except the satisfaction and pleasure of learning, working and knowing you are doing a much needed and worthwhile job. Nobody is paid; we all do it because ‘we care’.

To be clear, we can offer you nothing except the above.

Do you need experience? No. The most important requirement is to bring your love for the donkeys, a good spirit and willingness to do all the variety of work necessary to keep them in good shape. First the basic work. It means, starting with giving all the donkeys’ water and hay, the extra food and medicine for those who need it. Cleaning the fields; brushing and cleaning feet; walking the donkeys and dogs; looking after the cats, rabbits; taking the tourists around; they like to know the story of the Corfu donkeys and how CDR is helping them recover.

We can help you organise your visit -

We can find you various accommodation according to requirements and your budgets. Scooter, quad or push bike hire is necessary (the shelter is in the countryside) but we can get you competitive rates. You must commit for a minimum number of weeks, days and hours worked to gain from these offers.

The work is hard, it is physical. In the summer it is very hot. In January and February it rains a lot. In Spring and Autumn the weather is easier to work in but it may rain at times – and in Corfu, rain means rain not showers. At Christmas you can sit in the sun in the day but the temperatures go down at night.

When you are not working there is plenty to see and do on the Island. We will always place you in an area where there is a night life, supermarkets open (many places in Corfu are ghost towns in the winter). Of course Corfu Town is a most magical place, winter and summer.

Comments from Judy, The Founder of CDR

“I am always amazed and thankful that people from Europe come to Corfu to volunteer and most of them come back year after year, sometimes twice in one year. But that proves that the work is satisfying, the atmosphere is friendly and a good time is had by all. But I am sure that it is the donkeys themselves that bring our volunteers back, you can see when you visit that you are doing a very worth while job in very basic conditions. Some nights we all meet up and have a great night out together or a barbeque on site. Many people comment on the peace and tranquillity that can be found here with the donkeys. It is so good to slow down away from the rat race and move at a donkeys pace, cuddle the cats and walk the donkeys and dogs down to the lake. We meet the best people in the world here, visitors, students, volunteers, all like minded caring people.

In the next 6 months it is highly probable that the purchase of the new piece of land for the shelter will be finalised. Then we have work for all people with different skills, or those simply willing to try DIY, plumbing, electrics, fencing, building, welding, digging, woodwork, cement work. You name it; a whole new shelter has to be designed and created from scratch with the minimum of finances and a lot of innovation.

Also there is much administration that could be passed on, for those who prefer this type of work. Collecting boxes need to be distributed and collected, data bases need to be kept up to date, general enquiries need quick replies, could you help us from your home? Just a few hours a week. (preferably Corfu residents who know the Island). If you could take these jobs from me, I can be freed to spend more time fund raising and giving the donkey’s individual care".

Read some of the comments from previous CDR volunteers

Do you want to be a volunteer? If so contact Judy at the donkey shelter Dutch volunteers can also obtain further information via: Ezelsocieteit, info@ezelsocieteit.nl Or El Mens ( a Corfu donkey volunteer ), elguilli@xs4all.nl

CDR is an accredited training place for students from Holland.

Exercising baby donkey

Volunteering Students

Emergency building - difficult conditions

But its not all work.......

One of Spiros's infamous BBQ's

Relaxing after work