The Donkey Sanctuary could close four of its sites due to rising costs, resulting in 57 job losses.
The rescue charity is consulting on proposals to close its donkey-assisted activity centres in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Ivybridge in Devon.
The charity’s site in Belfast could downsize and become a small sanctuary and rehoming centre as part of the plans.
As part of the changes, 57 staff members could lose their jobs and more than 100 donkeys could be housed in the charity’s holding bases while decisions are made on their new homes.
The charity has other centres in Buxton, Derbyshire, and at its head office in Sidmouth, Devon.
All of the affected centres will be closed to visitors during the consultation period, which started on 20 May, the charity said.
A spokesperson for the charity said it was facing rising costs and must adapt if it was to continue making the “biggest possible difference” with its available resources.
The charity had an income of £57.4m in its latest accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2022, down from £63.4m the previous year.
The charity’s expenditure was £49.7m in its latest accounts, rising from £42.2m.
It employed 761 people during the same period, accounts show.
A spokesperson for The Donkey Sanctuary said: “If closures do go ahead, we are confident that all donkeys can be safely relocated to a new home suited to their individual needs.
“We are proposing these changes in order to make best use of our donors’ money and to ensure we continue to achieve our core mission of improving the welfare of donkeys in the UK and around the world.”