Events
Visitor Season 2025 - May to September
Starting May 2, 2025 we will be open Friday, Saturday & Sunday; ending September 7, 2025
Join us here at the Refuge for our 2025 Visitor Season! Starting Friday, May 2 – Sept 7, 2025 we will be open every Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am to 3:30pm last entry 3:00pm. All the Donkeys & Mules are looking forward to the summer visiting season!
Spring 2025 Donkey Care & Comfort Fundraiser - Matching Fund!❤
April 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025 - Donate Online, E-transfer or by Phone.
ANNOUNCING OUR SPRING FUNDRAISER! ❤
We are pleased to announce that SAKURA’S HOPE FOUNDATION has once again generously offered to match the first $50,000 of donations towards our Donkey Care and Comfort Fundraiser for Spring 2025!
Our Goal – to raise $120,000 for the Donkeys.
Help us raise these much-needed funds for the donkeys and see your Donation matched by SAKURA’S HOPE FOUNDATION.
~ Donations gratefully accepted ~
Online ~ https://turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com/donate/
E-transfer ~ donkeyrefuge@gmail.com
By phone ~ Call us at 250.679.2778
Coming soon – In person ~ between May 2 – June 30 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:30am – 3:30pm) at the Refuge!
Thank you all for your kind support ❤
Rooster's 50th Birthday Celebration!
Sunday, May 25, 2025 10:30am - 3:30pm
Join us in celebrating Rooster’s 50th Birthday! Rooster is the oldest donkey here at the Refuge – he will receive a special “cake” and our generous local grocery store, Safety Mart Foods in Chase, is donating cake & ice cream for our visitors to celebrate!
We look forward to seeing everyone on this special day!
Rooster’s Birthday Cake will be served to him at 1:00pm.
Family Friendly activities will be happening all day here at the Refuge – come on out and join in the fun!
– bean bag toss
– hula hoops
– bubble blowing
– paper craft Donkey Ears & colouring!
Regular Admission rates & hours apply.
Donkey Grooming Basics Class
July 22, 2025
Join Rob and our Herd Health Staff in an informative class that will provide you with all the skills you will need to become a Donkey Grooming Volunteer here at the Refuge!
You will be provided with a hands-on introduction to donkey grooming which will include:
- intro to brushes & tools
- Learn how to tie a donkey for safe grooming
- Learn the correct order of grooming
- Learn how to brush a donkey coat
- Learn ear, eye & nose cleaning
- Learn to clean hooves
- Learn how to read donkey body language
- Learn to put on a halter & lead
- Learn how to walk a donkey
- Learn how to communicate with donkeys.
All participants will receive a one-year membership to the Refuge.
Shirley's Remembrance
Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 11am
On Monday, July 14th at 11am we are hosting a special tribute to Shirley—her life, her work, and her vision for the future of the Refuge.
For anyone who is unable to attend the Monday celebration, a tea & coffee social will also be held on Sunday, July 20th at 11am.
Both events will take place at the Refuge.
Hay Day!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Join us here at the Refuge for Hay Day! Hay Day admission & donations will all support our Buy-a-Bale Fund which helps us cover the cost of the 4300 bales of hay needed to feed the donkeys and mules every year.
We will have fun and educational activities for all ages at this Family-friendly event (more details to come).
Trouw Nutrition/Hi-Pro Feeds is also joining us at the Refuge for Hay Day to help us raise funds for the Donkey’s Buy-a-Bale Fund! Trouw Nurtition/Hi-Pro Feeds supports the Donkeys & Mules here at the Refuge with a generous supply of their Canadian-made Step Right Premium Equine Feed. Their donations save our donors thousands a year in feed costs and helps keep our senior and special needs equines in great condition. Trouw Nurtition will also have information available about their Step Right Premium Equine Feed!