Our Story

What began as a mission to save and protect South Africa’s rare blue-eyed spotted donkeys has grown into a pioneering farm producing pure, healing donkey milk – touching lives, one drop at a time.

From Rescue to Remedy

A Decade-Long Journey Rooted in Compassion

What began with two orphaned foals on a Magaliesberg hillside has grown into South Africa’s only donkey dairy—yet our purpose has never changed: nurture through nature. Every step of our story is guided by empathy for animals, respect for the land, and the belief that pure donkey milk can change lives.

Two Foals, One Dream

Saartjie & Betsie Spark a Lifelong Bond

In 2012 Jesse Christelis rescued two wide-eyed foals—Saartjie and Betsie—from a slaughterhouse. Nursing them back to health revealed the gentle intelligence of donkeys and ignited Jesse’s passion to protect them. Those first brays on the farm set the tone for everything we do today.

Protecting a Rare Bloodline

South Africa’s Blue-Eyed Spotted Donkeys

As the herd grew, Jesse discovered a nearly extinct blue-eyed spotted donkey lineage unique to South Africa. Determined to preserve it, he expanded the farm into a sanctuary where these rare donkeys could thrive—ensuring genetic diversity and inspiring future conservation efforts.

Rescue & Rehabilitation at Scale

Over 580 Donkeys Rehomed with Love

By 2019, our parallel initiative Donkeys & Dwarf Goats SA had rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed more than 580 donkeys from neglect, abuse, or slaughter. Each success story reaffirmed our simple belief: happy, healthy donkeys can transform human lives too.

Discovering Milk’s Healing Power

From Ancient Remedy to Modern Science

Caring for the herd led us to centuries-old writings on donkey milk’s medicinal properties. Scientific research confirmed what Cleopatra and Hippocrates once knew: this “pharma-food” soothes eczema, supports immunity, and is a gentle alternative for CMPA babies. Inspired, we mastered an ethical hand-milking method and launched a skincare line that’s now trusted nationwide.

Nurturing Through Nature

Our Mission, Yesterday & Tomorrow

Today The Donkey Dairy is more than a farm—it’s a living promise to animals, people, and the planet. We continue to hand-milk small batches, welcome visitors to meet the herd, and pioneer research into donkey milk’s benefits. Because when we care for nature, nature cares for us in return.