ANIMAL activists are set to line the streets of Mijas this weekend as they demand ‘the end of the exploitation’ of the town’s famous donkeys.
The protest, organised by Spanish animal rights party PACMA, will be the latest move in the long-running conflict against the donkey-taxi service in Mijas Pueblo.
It will commence on Sunday at 11am at the Mirador Hermanos Nuñez Andreu.
Mijas became known for its donkeys in the 1960s when tourists began spotting local workers returning from their fields on the animals and requested rides themselves.
As these visitors started offering generous tips to the animals’ owners, residents left their jobs to establish formal donkey-taxis.
In recent years this mode of transport has become increasingly contentious with animal welfare groups, such as PACMA, arguing that the donkeys are kept in conditions that prevent proper rest and freedom of movement.
While carrying their passengers the animals are controlled by rope and when they are off duty and resting they too are tethered to fences.
Therefore PACMA is leading this protest with the slogan ‘Cut their rope’ as it aims to release the donkeys from the job that it believes infringes on their wellbeing.
Many locals however support the use of these donkey-taxis as they attract tourists and are a tradition that they view as being ingrained in the town.
On the other hand, PACMA is arguing that the town will keep its tourism appeal without the mode of transport and that the taxis could be replaced by tuk-tuks so that visitors can still move through and experience Mijas.
The party also proposes that sanctuary-style retirement is offered to the animals.
Some donkeys that previously worked for Mijas taxis are already in rescue centres; Donkey Dreamland, a sanctuary hidden in the town’s hills, is the home of many of these animals.
This safe haven sees the donkeys be cared for by a team of volunteers who dedicate themselves to ensuring that the animals spend the rest of their lives in peace.
With these opposing views on the donkey-taxis, it is likely that there will be police presence at the protest.
PACMA’s president, Javier Luna, vice president, Cristina Garcia and spokesperson Yolanda Morales will also be in attendance.
Having led PACMA for nearly five years, Luna has already contributed to key changes regarding Mijas donkeys.
Various welfare rules that require rest allocations, shade, water access and veterinary care have been implemented and most recently, in April 2025, stricter regulations regarding heat were passed.
These included suspending work during certain weather alerts and requiring slack in tether ropes.
These measures are not enough for PACMA who have announced their upcoming protest on social media saying that they ‘cannot allow [the current treatment of the donkeys] in the 21st century’.
Mijas Ayuntamiento has been contacted for comment.
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