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 regular updates 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
Rosalita of the Trust
Location: Central Otago
Residency: Permanent
Our first mule – the beautiful Rosalita. Rosalita came to us in February 2026. Her loving owner made the difficult decision to surrender Rosalita to the Trust knowing she would always be safe, cherished, and cared for, remaining under the watchful care of a trust guardian for the rest of her life.
She has made herself at home surrounded by mamouth donkeys, standard donkeys, and horses. She is highly intelligent and has a lovely nature.
Please consider becoming a sponsor to assist us with the costs of Rosalita and our donkeys by completing the form below.
Inky of the Trust
Location: Rotorua
Residency: Temporary
Inki arrived about two months ago at the sanctuary in Rotorua. She was picked up by the Trust back in 2010 with her mother Ponky and brother Murphy. Murphy was rehomed to be with another gelding whereas Ponky and Inky it took one false start and then they were rehomed very happily to a family in Rotorua.
Sadly Ponky passed away and then difficult decision was made to return Inky back to the Rotorua sanctuary under the Trust financial care.
Inky has some trust issues so she will be staying where she is for some time to come but we are hopeful that she will eventually be rehomed. She has become good friends with Bessie, another of our sponsor donkeys.
If you would like to sponsor Inky, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Melody and Senaka
Location: Rotorua
Residency: Temporary
Melody and Senaka have a long association with our Trustee Pauline.
When Melody was a youngster her mother Olive passed away, then Senaka an older jenny stepped in and and “adopted” Melody. The two are in separatable and will never be parted. Both have trust issues and are timid. Melody losing her mother at a young age has ongoing health issues, when she lived with Senaka, the pasture was not great for donkeys. Melody also had hoof issues, and her skin was prone to skin problems. Under our vet care she is doing much better; hoof growth is good and at the moment her skin problem is under control.
Senaka is a lovely gentle girl who has bonded with a young needy girl Melody. Senaka has trust issues and making slow progress with that. However, once she is caught and a halter put on she is perfect to handle. She now loves a brush and a cuddle, not so timid now. Great to pick up her hooves for Elise our farrier, she has great hooves and her weight is good. It will take her time to trust us enough to be able to catch her in her paddock without enticing her Into a pen. She is a lovely girl with a great future ahead of her once her trust issues come right.
Photo is of Melody on the left and Senaka on the right.
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
Location: Rotorua
Residency: Permanent
Bessie arrived at the very beginning of September 2023. Bessie is about 21 years old.
Bessie is the brown donkey. She arrived with her friend Jamie who has sadly passed away. Howeever Bessie is coping well without Jamie and has been happily sharing her paddock with Mintie and other donkeys.
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.
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.
Sylvie and Hazel
Location: Southland
Residency : Permanent
These two ovely girls had a tough time earlier in there life. They were rescued by a wonderful person who provided them with the necessary care and lots of love and attention. However the ongoing management including managing their weight became too much so they were transferred to the Trust. Since being with their guardian, they have become the bosses of the whole donkey herd and have grown in confidence. Their weight is under control and they have had dentals done. They are loving life.
© 2021 Donkey and Mule Protection Trust NZ | Registered Charity: CC21227
Website design by envolve