Welcome to the
Donkey and Mule Protection Trust
Improving the lives of donkeys and mules in New Zealand
Our aim is to provide information, advice, support, education, rehabilitation and rehoming for donkeys and mules across New Zealand
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Role of the Trust
Rescue and Rehabilitation
This is when the animal is uplifted and, either temporarily or for the long term, is in the care of a guardian.
Donkeys and mules may be relinquished into the care of the Trust when an owner can no longer care for their animal and wants to ensure it goes to a good home. They are uplifted by the Trust and put into the care of a guardian.
The Trust raises money to support this work by providing funds for transport, farriers, dental work, gelding and any other costs associated with the rehabilitation of the donkey.
This is where most of your donations go.
There are several levels of outcomes for the donkeys/mules:
Rehome Youngsters
A youngster with no obvious problems can be rehomed.
Rehome mature animals
Mature and well behaved with no obvious problems can be rehabilitated and rehomed.
Suitable for rehoming with knowledgeable home only
Some health problems, but possible to be placed in a suitable and knowledgeable home.
Sponsorship
In some cases, the animal due to health or behavioural issues may remain at the rehoming centre for the long term and the Trust will seek sponsorship from supporters to cover the main costs of caring for the animal. This is a recent initiative and has been very successful.
Under no circumstances to be rehomed
Severe problems because of severe health problems or dangerous. In these cases the rehoming centre may have to make the decision to euthanise the animal.
All illustrations are the work of Pauline Sainsbury, Mamaku Donkey RRC & Sanctuary
It doesn’t stop there…
Care and Support
Information and Advice
The Trust also has a role in educating owners and potential owners of their responsibilities when owning donkeys/mules. Raising awareness of the unique nature of donkeys and mules is a critical part of what we do to minimise the risk of more animals needing care through ignorance or neglect.
Support and Education
We support current owners to extend their knowledge, and ensure that they know the essentials of caring for a donkey or mule.
Continuing rehabilitation with owner
Where the neglect of a donkey or mule has occurred through ignorance, and is not wilful, and the person in charge of the animal can give a good home to the animal with support and education, a volunteer will visit on a regular basis to assist and check.
The animal should be able to lead and tie up. Fencing should be safe and secure; there must be shelter, feet regularly trimmed. We will introduce the person to a recommended farrier to ensure the feet are trimmed regularly. The owner should be able to recognise when the donkey or mule is ill.
Trust Cards
Buy our Cards!
Our beautiful sets of full colour greeting cards are now available for purchase. Printed on premium linen card, these A6-sized cards are blank inside and can be used for any occasion.
Proceeds go to support the Trust’s efforts of care and rehabilitation for donkeys and mules around NZ.
Donkeys are very emotional animals and love to have a best friend as you can see here as they wait for the lady to give them dinner. Dear Grace lost her bestie and is the one on her own but she is doing fine being in a herd. ... See MoreSee Less
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They are all so beautiful ❤️
Matthew Elliott
All so gorgeous they certainly bond strongly
Jimmy the Donkey was born in the trenches at the Somme, when a Germany shell fatally wounded his pregnant mother. British soldiers were forced to deliver Jimmy in the mud of the battlefield.
The baby donkey was raised by the troops of the Cameronian Scottish Rifles who fed him condensed milk and rations. They even taught the animal to salute by raising one hoof.
Jimmy would spend the years with the regiment, hauling supplies and keeping his human comrades’ spirits up.
He was wounded three times before the end of the war, but went on to become a mascot of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the 20s and 30s.
He died in 1943 and was buried in Peterborough’s Central Park. A monument was erected to commemorate him.
Follow Us 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁💛 ... See MoreSee Less
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This is Bessie and Jamie. As you can see in the post below, Jamie has a knee issue. Bessie is also on medication for PPID and EMS. They are under the expert care of Pauline at the Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary. You can sponsor Bessie and Jamie via our website. All costs for both donkeys are paid for by the Trust. We are very grateful for any donation or sponsorship. Links below.
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donate/ ... See MoreSee Less
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