Our Founder

Originally from Quebec, Shelia moved to Ontario in the year of 1966, and settled into Georgetown. After years of hard work and raising her sons, Shelia retired and moved to a 6 acre farm in Roseneath in 2000. With her she brought 12 donkeys (PrimRose, Don Quixote, Lucy May, Daisy June, Pamela Rose, Alice Blue Gown, Patricia Rose, Charlotte Rose, Gilly Flower, Amos, and Jed) 1 dog, 5 cats and 2 pot belly pigs, which minus the donkeys, fit perfectly in her minivan! After a couple of weeks of settling in, some of her neighbours were mentioning donkeys that needed a helping hand, which led her to rescuing her first donkey, Amazing Grace. Grace was meant to protect cattle but was left lying down in a field with a broken foot. After a conversation with the farmer, Amazing Grace came home to what we now call PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary.

Two weeks later, Shelia rescued Brennan in a town called Tweed. When Brennan arrived he was skin and bones and was previously only fed produce which included pineapples, cabbages, and assorted fruits. Not the ideal diet meant for any donkey!

After 25 years of rescuing donkeys in need,  PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary now provides a temporary or permanent home for over 70 donkeys and mules, as well as many others who have moved on to their forever homes to be treated with the kindness and love these precious animals deserve.

Shelia continues to fight for the donkeys that are neglected and unloved and has dedicated the past 25 years of her life selflessly to the animals that call this place home. Here's to 100 more!