Petting the Donkeys of Corfu

Not far from where we’re staying in Corfu, there’s a sanctuary for donkeys who are too old or injured to work. Of course we had to go and meet the donkeys.

A short scooter ride took us uphill and down a windy gravel road. No signs indicated whether we were going in the right direction, and we had to check google maps several times on the way. Nevertheless, when we arrived, we found a small group of tourists who had similarly come to see the donkeys.

We were greeted by a kind-looking lady who explained the rules: you can pet and brush the donkeys, you can pet the cats but not the dogs, don’t leave any gates open, and don’t feed any of the animals. Then she let us all loose to explore the grounds.

The sanctuary was a sprawling place, with several different indoor spaces and outdoor penned areas surrounded by olive groves. Many of the donkeys showed signs that they had had a hard life, but they looked content in this sanctuary (insofar as a donkey ever looks content).

You can learn more about the specific donkeys who are cared for in the sanctuary here.

“Treat every animal every day with kindness, as if it was their last day on earth because tomorrow it might be, we never know”. Awww.

We capped off another great day in Corfu by exploring another one of their weird abandoned buildings. Apparently this was a hotel that went under during the 2008 financial collapse.

Street art and a sunset.