Donkeys have been used as transport in Santorini from time immemorial but having witnessed the dire conditions  for myself last week I felt I couldn’t just sit back and ignore it.

The path from the port to the top of the rock is steep, slippery, uneven and has over 600 steps. The donkeys make this return journey, several times a day, carrying tourists. While they wait they stand in full sun, no access to shade and little water. The day we were there it was 32 degrees.

At the height of the season as many as 15,000 tourists a day visit from cruise ships and with only 8 cable cars and long queues many visitors opt for this ‘experience’.

Legislation states that no donkey must carry more than a fifth of its body weight, or more than 15 stone, but it isn’t regulated and messages to tourists asking them not to participate is having little effect.The mayor of Santorini  says that they are “Raising awareness and distributing leaflets “but there was no evidence of this last week.

The donkeys don’t have a break in the winter, continuing to be used to transport building materials.Many of them suffer with spinal injuries, saddle sores and exhaustion.

Those that are old, injured and no longer useful  are ‘disposed of’ or, if very lucky, are dumped overnight at the local sanctuary (SAWA)to end their days. The sanctuary struggles to survive depending entirely on donations and voluntary help .

Please either sign this petition, send a donation to SAWA or just raise awareness by spreading the word.

Thank you.