Dorothea Lotter, Executive Director and Ranch Manager
Dorothea is one of the founders of The Longears Safehouse and also our (volunteer) Executive Director.
She manages our essential rescue, rehab, adoption, and educational outreach programs and is our general (volunteer) ranch manager.
Dorothea is thrilled that she has been able to put together a great team to help run our growing organization. It is her dream that someday she will be able to step aside, retire, and still watch our organization thrive and succeed.
"I inherited my love of animals from my mother, who would always understand when I brought home cats or dogs in need, sometimes also hamsters, chipmunks or other small creatures. I first gained experience with equines at age 10 or 11, when I started volunteering at a local pony riding stable in my hometown of Kassel, Germany. My later career took me away from this kind of life, and I became a college professor in philosophy (M.A., Ph.D. University of Munich) and moved to the United States in 2001. When I left academia in 2007 to become a freelance translator, I moved to New Mexico and fell in love with donkeys in my neighborhood. I started rescuing donkeys in 2010 together with my former husband. By 2011 we had four adopted donkeys from a small local donkey rescue. When the rescue closed down that summer, we felt that we had to continue this work since there was no other rescue in the state that would specialize in donkeys' and their specific needs. I have carried on this mission ever since."
She manages our essential rescue, rehab, adoption, and educational outreach programs and is our general (volunteer) ranch manager.
Dorothea is thrilled that she has been able to put together a great team to help run our growing organization. It is her dream that someday she will be able to step aside, retire, and still watch our organization thrive and succeed.
"I inherited my love of animals from my mother, who would always understand when I brought home cats or dogs in need, sometimes also hamsters, chipmunks or other small creatures. I first gained experience with equines at age 10 or 11, when I started volunteering at a local pony riding stable in my hometown of Kassel, Germany. My later career took me away from this kind of life, and I became a college professor in philosophy (M.A., Ph.D. University of Munich) and moved to the United States in 2001. When I left academia in 2007 to become a freelance translator, I moved to New Mexico and fell in love with donkeys in my neighborhood. I started rescuing donkeys in 2010 together with my former husband. By 2011 we had four adopted donkeys from a small local donkey rescue. When the rescue closed down that summer, we felt that we had to continue this work since there was no other rescue in the state that would specialize in donkeys' and their specific needs. I have carried on this mission ever since."
Tania Herbert, Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordination
Tania is our Community Engagement Director. She is in charge of volunteer coordination as well as other forms of outreach to the community.
She also spends time trailering donkeys for us and volunteering at our rescue ranch, helping to muck stalls or work with some donkeys.
She is a gem, and we appreciate her hands-on approach!
"When I was 13 years old, I used my saved-up babysitting earnings to buy a horse (and then told my parents). I took full responsibility for all her care - mucking, feeding, exercising … and more babysitting to pay for the farrier and vet visits. I loved that horse and all of the work required to care for her. When I grew up, I became a social worker and later an agriculturalist. Before moving to Cedar Grove, NM, I lived in Atlanta, GA, with my husband and two sons. For roughly a decade, I ran a school farm that focused on combating food insecurity in marginalized communities. I created an organization called The Grassroots Growers Alliance that helped communities and schools build their own farms and grow their own food. After years of being passionate about growing food and community, I am thrilled to have a chance to work with The Longears Safehouse and to get back to my earlier roots caring for equine, this time our long-eared donkey friends."
She also spends time trailering donkeys for us and volunteering at our rescue ranch, helping to muck stalls or work with some donkeys.
She is a gem, and we appreciate her hands-on approach!
"When I was 13 years old, I used my saved-up babysitting earnings to buy a horse (and then told my parents). I took full responsibility for all her care - mucking, feeding, exercising … and more babysitting to pay for the farrier and vet visits. I loved that horse and all of the work required to care for her. When I grew up, I became a social worker and later an agriculturalist. Before moving to Cedar Grove, NM, I lived in Atlanta, GA, with my husband and two sons. For roughly a decade, I ran a school farm that focused on combating food insecurity in marginalized communities. I created an organization called The Grassroots Growers Alliance that helped communities and schools build their own farms and grow their own food. After years of being passionate about growing food and community, I am thrilled to have a chance to work with The Longears Safehouse and to get back to my earlier roots caring for equine, this time our long-eared donkey friends."
Andrew Cross, Secretary
Andrew is the co-founder of The Longears Safehouse and was directly involved in operations for many years. He now resides in Philadelphia,”where he gives historical tours covering the Revolutionary period and the creation of the American republic. He misses the donkeys and continues to lend his support in various ways. He currently is also the Secretary of our Board.
Janette Burch, Director
Janette grew up in a farmer's family in Nebraska and has been a horse woman most of her life. She first contacted The Longears Safehouse about some advice after rescuing a jennet that was hard to handle. She later came to visit and promptly adopted another jennet from us as a companion for her own rescue donkey. Janette has been with us mostly in an advisory role since 2021, and she has also helped out with trailering and transporting tasks.
Esther Jamison, Marketing and Development
Esther is an attorney, animal lover, and long-time resident of New Mexico. She visited Longears Safehouse and was inspired by Dorothea’s vision and dedication to saving, rehabilitating, and providing a loving home for these gentle, soulful creatures.
Esther enjoys promoting stories of kindness to animals and is excited to work on fundraising, marketing, and development for TLS.
Esther enjoys promoting stories of kindness to animals and is excited to work on fundraising, marketing, and development for TLS.
Documents
| Bylaws |
| Articles of Incorporation |
| Conflict of Interest Policy |
