Faith Burden is the deputy CEO and executive director of Equine Operations for The Donkey Sanctuary. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s donkey-focused operations across the globe. This includes sanctuary sites in four countries and partnerships in an additional 10 countries.

Burden is ultimately responsible for the welfare of the 6,500 donkeys and mules in the care of The Donkey Sanctuary. Many of these are aged or have specific health and behavioral needs. Burden and her colleagues also work to improve the welfare of donkeys and mules globally through partnerships, advocacy, research, and education.

Burden is the co-author of more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and is a globally recognized expert on the health and welfare of donkeys and mules. She has a PhD in infectious diseases and has worked across human and animal health care settings in academic, private, and NGO sectors. Her research interests include donkey and mule welfare assessment and nutrition.

Burden has active collaborations with universities worldwide. She has worked with industry to design and produce donkey feeds and with owners to provide cost-effective, high-welfare husbandry systems. Burden has also worked at the national and international levels to influence and develop policy and guidelines. Her goal: Promote the highest standards of animal welfare, in particular for equids.  

In her spare time, Burden enjoys being in nature and devotes much of her time to her family. This includes her many animal companions. Worthy of special mention are her senior miniature mule, Monty, and her senior Shetland pony, Roland. Together they ensure she stays grounded in the reality of daily care for special-needs equids. She also enjoys long-distance riding with her Irish cob, Jack, come rain or shine!

Faith Burden’s Recent Research

Journal articles | The Donkey Sanctuary

Further Reading

Donkey Body Condition Score. Dr. Faith Burden. MySeniorHorse.com