Donkeys to Sponsor

 

When donkeys come under the care of the Trust they are uplifted and relocated to a guardian.  These volunteers agree to take on the care of these donkeys and the Trust raises funds to contribute toward the costs of looking after them. 

In some instances, the donkeys are short term residents until they are rehabilitated and subsequently rehomed.  However other donkeys due to health or behavioural issues are unable to be rehomed and remain permanently under the care of the guardian.

Donkeys under the care of the Trust can incur a range of costs before they can be rehomed, if they can be rehomed at all.  These may include (but not be limited to) vet fees for gelding, dentistry, pregnancy, wounds, x-rays, and treatment for hoof issues. Usually, a farrier is required for frequent and regular trims to correct any hoof deformity. 

Furthermore, a donkey, due to its prior history, may have behavioural issues which might mean the donkey cannot be rehomed immediately.  

Throughout their rehabilitation donkeys require hay, straw and hard feed depending on the age and condition of the donkey, and if a permanent resident, these costs are ongoing for the life of the donkey.

By sponsoring a donkey, you are providing regular support, in the name of your sponsored donkey, to help all donkeys under the financial care of the Trust which is vital for the Trust to continue its work. 

Below are the profiles of donkeys available for sponsorship.  Please select “your” donkey and click to sponsor for $1/day ($30 per month) or another amount.  

The Trust will send a quarterly update to you with news about all sponsored donkeys, including the donkey in whose name you are providing the sponsorship.

All sponsorships are a donation to the Trust and can be claimed as a tax rebate.

Our most recent additions

Pip and Archie

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Pip and Archie (father and daughter) were owned by Elton and Dorothy who were very well  known in New Zealand donkey circles.  Pip and Archie were cared for, loved, and went to shows for many years.  Elton sadly passed away and while Dorothy did her absolute best, looking after two donkeys can sometimes become a bit too much especially when they have hoof issues that Archie developed.  Reluctantly Dorothy recently signed over ownership to the Trust. 

Once at Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary with Pauline, her regular BOP farrier Elise was on the job straight away and Archie was fitted with cast boots to help his feet recover while Pip was given a well needed trim. 

As they are so incredibly well trained Pauline took them to the Rotorua A&P show where they were a great hit.  Due to their age and hoof issues, these two will remain in the care of a Trust guardian for the remainder of their lives.

If you would like to sponsor Pip and Archie, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

 

 

Sylvie and Hazel

Location: Southland

Residency: Permanent

Sylvie (brown) and Hazel are mother and daughter who have come under the care of the Trust recently.

They were rescued by their previous owner in very poor condition and through a lot of love and care improved dramatically.  However, due to their previous life, managing some of their issues including handling, weight and dental problems became too much for their owner and she reluctantly transferred ownership to the Trust. 

Our Trust guardian has bought their weight under control and they have had their dentals done.  They are learning slowly to be haltered easily and leading will be the next challenge.

If you would like to sponsor Hazel and Sylvie, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Sylvie (brown) and Hazel are mother and daughter who have come under the care of the Trust recently.

They were rescued by their previous owner in very poor condition and through a lot of love and care improved dramatically.  However, due to their previous life, managing some of their issues including handling, weight and dental problems became too much for their owner and she reluctantly transferred ownership to the Trust. 

Our Trust guardian has bought their weight under control and they have had their dentals done.  They are learning slowly to be haltered easily and leading will be the next challenge.

If you would like to sponsor Hazel and Sylvie, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Donkeys to Sponsor

Mintie

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Mintie arrived at Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary as an unhandled Ponui jack.  He needed to be gelded and handled.  He eventually was trialled at a new home but regressed to his wild ways so was returned to Mamaku where he has made friends with Weatherby.

Weatherby

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Weatherby’s trust issues mean that we cannot rehome him.  The last home he had he ran through fences to escape and ended up with a number of cuts and lacerations.  He is friends with Mintie and no longer wants to escape.

Indi

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Indi arrived with her mum Violet as their elderly owner passed away. They had not been handled and suffer from laminitis if not managed carefully.  It is still very difficult to trim Indi’s hooves.

Neddy

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Neddy arrived at Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary with signficant trust issues.  He was rehomed together with another donkey he became friendly with but his trust issues resurfaced and he was returned to Mamaku where he will live out his days.

Bessie and Jamie

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Bessie and Jamie arrived at the very beginning of September 2023.  Bessie is about 21 years old and Jamie is 13 and a gelding.  They are very bonded.

Both have some health issues and we are monitoring them closely.  They have settled in really well and are real characters. 

Zebedee (Zeb)

Location: Wairarapa

Residency: Permanent

Zeb is a 30 year old Ponui Island donkey.  He initially came into the care of an earlier Donkey Trust in New Zealand 25 years ago.  He was in a large herd of donkeys but eventually there was only Zeb left and after much agonising, his owner decided to rehome Zeb to a Trust guardian nearby who has a number of older donkeys.

Zeb has settled in well.  He has hard feed every day which he really enjoys and the company of two geldings about his age.

Chester

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Chester arrived at Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary when he was very young with his mother, best friend Nibby and three others in his family. His mum died when he was quite young and consequently he became very bonded to Nibby.  As they were so young when they arrived, they were trained to go on visits and parades and are now often out and about promoting the Trust.

Violet

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Violet and her daughter Indi (above) arrived at Mamaku Donkey Santuary.  Due to the age of their past owner they were not handled for a long time and have trust issues along with health concerns.  They went on trial to a new home but had to be returned due to severe laminitis. They will now remain under the expert care at Mamaku.

Nibby

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Nibby’s best friend is Chester (above).  Nibby is a wee tough fella who has to put with a lot from Chester who is taller and plays rough like many geldings.  But they are both great ambassadors of the Trust getting out and about raising awareness.

Chesterfield

Location: Kapiti Coast

Residency: Permanent

Chesterfield is a 30+ year old skewbald gelding. A retired movie donkey, Chesterfield was overweight with tender feet from lack of exercise and living alone in a small enclosure all day.  Given that he was too old for further movie work, his owners decided to relinquish him to the care of the Trust.

He has had a few health issues but they are mostly resolved.  He needs hard feed every day to keep his weight one.  He is a precious boy.

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