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

Santo

Location: Wairarapa

Residency: For foreseeable future

Santo came to the Trust in March 2024 as an 18-month-old. He had been rehomed straight after being weaned from his mum. His new owners loved him very much and spoilt him with loads of attention but he did not have the company of another donkey so became very reliant on and demanding of his humans. This led to some difficult behaviour and eventually his owners decided to rehome him to the Trust so he would have donkey company.

When he arrived he was very naughty, biting and leaning on people, demanding to get his own way. Luckily our guardian was also caring for lovable Mickey who had recently lost his best friend. Mickey has taken young Santo under his wing and taught him some much needed lessons. Santo has also filled a place in Mickey’s life that was left when Pele passed away. While there is 20 odd years between them, they have a lovely time playing which is great to see.

We are intending to rehome Santo and Mickey together but their considerable age difference means we have to decide the best course of action.

If you would like to sponsor Santo in the meantime to cover his costs, please complete the form at the bottom of this page

Bessie and Jamie

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Bessie and Jamie arrived at the very beginning of September. Bessie is about 20 years old and Jamie is 12 and a gelding. They are very bonded.

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.

Mia

Location: Rotorua

Residency: Permanent

Mia needed to be rehomed due to the ill health of her owner. Her miniature friends went to another home and Mia came to Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary. She took a long time to settle in as she was missing her old companions but now seems to be doing very well. She is friendly with the other donkeys but has not made a special friend. We believe her to be at least 30 years old. She is a lovely natured girl and in good health but due to her age we will not be rehoming her.

Mickey

Location: Wairarapa

Residency: Permanent

Sweet wee Mickey lost his best mate Pele in November. Both suffered from a virus outbreak and while Mickey pulled through, Pele succumbed to hyperlipademia as a result of the impact of the virus. Mickey will now be staying under the care of the Trust for the foreseeable future. He has adopted naughty Santo and has been a good uncle to him, teaching Santo some much needed manners.

Details

Name*

Phone*

Email*

Address

Sponsorship

Name of the Donkey you wish to sponsor

Sponsorship Amount*

Choose how much you would like to donate

$30

$50

$100

Other amount

Frequency of Payment*

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Weekly

Fortnightly

Monthly

Yearly

Other Amount

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Payment Type*

Sponsorship Amount Per Week

This sponsoship amount will be charged weekly until cancelled by you

Sponsorship Amount Per Fortnight

This sponsoship amount will be charged fortnightly until cancelled by you

Sponsorship Amount Per Month

This sponsoship amount will be charged monthly until cancelled by you

Sponsorship Amount Per Year

This sponsoship amount will be charged annually until cancelled by you

Payment by Credit Card

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Upon submission of this form, please make your donation payment by direct bank transfer into our bank account.

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