You can check out our current Guide for New Donkey Owners with some useful information about basic donkey care here. An electronic copy of the official Donkey Care Handbook from the Donkey Sanctuary of England, and a current generic version of our adoption agreement and adoption application, respectively, can be viewed and/or downloaded below:
| adoption_agreement_generic.pdf |
| donkey_care_handbook.pdf |
| adoption_application.pdf |
AVAILABLE DONKEYS AND MULES FALL/WINTER 2024
TRAVELER
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Traveler first came to us in early 2016 as an owner surrender and was twice adopted out only to return through no fault of his own. (The first return was related to age and health of his then adopter, and the second return to economic and existential issues of his then adopters.) He is now up for adoption again to the right home.
This magnificent mammoth donkey gelding is about 14.2 hh and c. 27 years old now. His teeth are still really good, and he fully thrives on Bermuda grass hay. He does not need senior feed at this time, though a good mineral/vitamin supplement is a good idea at his age. He should not get any alfalfa or other rich feed as it will easily cause laminitis. He is in excellent health, though at his previous home there have been temporary signs of arthritis in his joints as he is getting older. Traveler is trained to ride and drive, but is no longer suited for adult riding due to his age. However, he could still teach kids to ride. He would enjoy having a job to do as long as it is not too strenuous. He does well with kids, really loves people and needs a human or two to understand his needs, love on him, and take good care of him. He is a very sweet old guy, and he will be able to stay here as long as he wants or needs unless we find the perfect home for him. At his age, it should be ideally a home that will not likely have to return him for reasons of age, health, or economic issues. Moving around and losing their herd is not something that old equines should experience too often. Traveler is a very social guy who sometimes babysits younger donkeys or mules. He loves especially larger donkeys and mules and can form really close relationships with both geldings and jennets. He gets into wrestling games with the geldings, if they challenge him. And he dotes on the jennets. In his last adoptive home he learned to be around small children and took good care of them. Traveler's adoption fee is $800 and includes a recent vet exam, Coggins, dental as needed, vaccinations, hoof trim, and worming. |
ASCIENTA & MARCELA
Originally from Texas, Ascienta and Marcela have been in various of our rescue, rehab, and adoption programs since 2012. The two were at first almost feral and very difficult to interact with. After their initial rescue they spent about 5 years as cattle guardian donkeys at a large ranch in Quemado until the ranch manager was replaced by someone who did not think the donkeys were effective at doing their job. They were returned to us in 2017 and started ground training at that time. After several foster homes and two adoptions - both ending due to divorce/separation - they're back with us and ready for a new adoption better trained than at any time before. The two girls are fairly easy to halter and enjoy brushing, especially during the shedding season. Both stand well for the farrier. Ascienta leads better than Marcela, but we're still continuing their training. They're also still learning to load onto a trailer without much fuss and to stand still for being blanketed in the winter (though at our climate here in central New Mexico it would not be necessary if they have proper shelter).
The two girls have been very bonded for a long time and should never be split up. They are affectionate with humans and enjoy human interaction. Marcela very easily puts on weight (and will be tested soon for metabolic issues because of that), so the two girls should go to a home where their access to pasture, especially lush pasture, is restriced and where they will have no access to alfalfa hay. A large dry lot and straw as their main source of nutrition, otherwise just grass hay combined with a good mineral tub (no starch or molasses!), salt, and vitamin supplement would be perfect, with or without additional pasture to roam on. They do need enough space to run around and kick up their heels from time to time. As to their ages, Marcela is about 13 years and Ascienta about 18 years old now.
Marcela and Ascienta are up for adoption to the right home as we are completing their ground training with more leading and trailering practice. Their adoption fee as a pair is $1,300, which includes recent Coggins, core vaccinations plus flu/rhino, general check-up, insulin and thyroid blood tests for Marcela, recent teeth exams and floating as needed, recent worming and hoof trims. We can deliver the girls to their new home free of charge if it is not too far and for a small fee to cover fuel if it is further away. We are looking for a stable home that is not likely to fall apart within the next 2-4 years... While the two have always been welcome back here, and will always be welcome again in the future, they deserve a home where they can settle down for good and form a long-term bond with their special people.
The two girls have been very bonded for a long time and should never be split up. They are affectionate with humans and enjoy human interaction. Marcela very easily puts on weight (and will be tested soon for metabolic issues because of that), so the two girls should go to a home where their access to pasture, especially lush pasture, is restriced and where they will have no access to alfalfa hay. A large dry lot and straw as their main source of nutrition, otherwise just grass hay combined with a good mineral tub (no starch or molasses!), salt, and vitamin supplement would be perfect, with or without additional pasture to roam on. They do need enough space to run around and kick up their heels from time to time. As to their ages, Marcela is about 13 years and Ascienta about 18 years old now.
Marcela and Ascienta are up for adoption to the right home as we are completing their ground training with more leading and trailering practice. Their adoption fee as a pair is $1,300, which includes recent Coggins, core vaccinations plus flu/rhino, general check-up, insulin and thyroid blood tests for Marcela, recent teeth exams and floating as needed, recent worming and hoof trims. We can deliver the girls to their new home free of charge if it is not too far and for a small fee to cover fuel if it is further away. We are looking for a stable home that is not likely to fall apart within the next 2-4 years... While the two have always been welcome back here, and will always be welcome again in the future, they deserve a home where they can settle down for good and form a long-term bond with their special people.
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