As severe weather continues to lash parts of the Western Cape, one of South Africa’s most recognised animal rescue centres is now fighting its own battle against rising floodwaters in the Klein Karoo. Just days after making headlines over its call for a national ban on donkey slaughter, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary near De Rust now finds itself in the middle of a full-scale weather emergency.
What began as welcome rainfall after months of drought has quickly turned into a crisis for the sanctuary after sixty-two millimetres of rain fell within just twenty-four hours, representing nearly a quarter of the organisation’s average annual rainfall. The sudden downpour triggered widespread flooding across the property as nearby river systems rose sharply and floodwaters surged through grazing fields, access routes, and key infrastructure.
The South African Weather Service had earlier issued a Level Eight severe weather warning for parts of the region as the storm system moved across the southern interior, bringing heavy rain, localised flooding, and dangerous conditions.
According to sanctuary founder and chief executive Jonno Sherwin, the situation remains serious despite all animals currently being accounted for and safe.
“We are incredibly grateful that all our animals are safe, but the damage is severe and the danger is not over,” Sherwin said as emergency repair teams continued working across the property.
Floodwaters have reportedly uprooted mature trees, damaged fencing, washed through grazing areas, and placed additional strain on shelters and rescue operations. Teams on site have spent the weekend digging trenches, reinforcing vulnerable structures, redirecting runoff, and securing livestock areas as rain continues across parts of the Klein Karoo.
The river running through the sanctuary remains under close observation as water levels continue to fluctuate.
The emergency comes with added significance, as the appeal was issued on World Donkey Day, highlighting the sanctuary’s broader mission of protecting vulnerable animals. Among the animals currently receiving long-term care is Bahati, a donkey rescued in Limpopo last year after surviving a near-fatal wildlife encounter.
Founded in 2015, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary has become one of South Africa’s best-known rescue centres for abused, neglected, and abandoned donkeys, while also supporting broader farm animal rehabilitation, educational outreach, and emergency animal welfare response across rural communities.
With infrastructure damage now mounting and weather systems still moving across the Western Cape, the sanctuary has launched an urgent public appeal for support to help fund fencing repairs, emergency feed, veterinary supplies, shelter protection, and operational rescue costs during the storm period.
For supporters, the sanctuary says every contribution will directly support ongoing emergency response efforts and ensure the animals remain protected as the weather threat continues.
Source: Karoo Donkey Sanctuary – Karoo Donkey Sanctuary – Jonno Sherwin.
