News and Articles
Our Stories
Latest news from the Trust
Read the latest news from the trust from all around New Zealand. We’ll try to keep you up to date with what is happening, the latest advice and some great information for caring for your donkey or mule.
What do we do with the Donkeys?
In May we met Pele and Mickey, who were in dire need of care and companionship. These two beautiful donkeys had been...
A Donkey for Christmas
Just before Christmas a supporter of the Trust purchased a donkey via TradeMe. The donkey was initially advertised as...
Rilla – a new friend for Tango?
Early in the new year, we got the call from a lovely young couple who had a three-year-old jenny who had lost her...
The boys are striking out on their own
As you are aware from our earlier posts, the Trust was asked to help rehome five donkeys, Sarah, Lauren, Ava, Humphrey...
And two makes Seven!
As per our previous post, the Trust was asked to help rehome five donkeys, Sarah, Lauren, Ava, Humphrey and Bogart. ...
Meet the Newbies – a not-so-famous five
The Trust was recently asked to help rehome five donkeys located in the lower North Island. There are three jennies...
Weatherby of Mamaku
Weatherby came to the Mamaku Rescue and Rehoming Centre with a number of nasty gashes as he was constantly escaping...
Donkeys love visitors
Recently Pauline of the Mamaku Rescue and Rehoming Centre welcomed Pippi, Gregg and Susie to the centre out of Rotorua...
And away we go… Jake and Benny
Jake and Benny recently returned to the Mamaku rehoming centre once again after being rehomed a number of times due to...
Introducing Her Grace, Duchess Florence
This is Duchess Florence. She came to the Mamaku Rehoming centre without a name. We had a naming promotion through...
Want to read more?
Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive more news and articles, where you can find a lot more information and advice.
' I always feel like someone is watching me...' ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Dear, sweet, wise Zebbie 🥰. Miss you my medicine man 💞.
i spy
Nothing like a bit of hay in the winter sun. Zeb on the left with his chubby mate Oscar ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Mickey will stand so still to have his photo taken. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So handsome! 😍
Gorgeous wee fellow!
Hello Mickey❤
Young Milo (on the right) recently came into the care of the Trust. Last week he arrived to join Santo (on left) and Mickey (centre). Santo is only rising 2 and Mickey is in his 20s we believe. While they have become firm friends, Santo needs another friend closer to his own age in case something happens to Mickey. So....we have introduced Milo. It is all rather tentative at this stage as to whether it will work out. Milo has only recently been exposed to other donkeys and he is learning to cope whereas Santo thinks he is the boss of everyone and everything. But small steps, they do eat together but it takes some time after the hay comes out for everyone to settle down and Milo remains somewhat apprehensive. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Aw poor wee Milo,he does look a little apprehensive in this pic,Trust all works out for him..
Fortunate donkey souls 🥰🥰🥰
Bless xxx
Morning..
Morning! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good morning all! 😗😗
Morning, What you up to today?
Morning 😁
afternoon a real waikato day grey cold and overcast here in Hamilton
Someone loves his farrier ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Wonder if the farrier feels like someone is breathing down his neck!
Gosh how cute! What are the chances of Gable doing that one day??!! Slim I’d say.
Farriers- worth their weight in gold!
🤣
Santo and Mickey waiting for the farrier ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So sweet 🥰
Lovely photo 🥰🥰
S/he can't be farr away.
I know, another video of donkeys eating hay. But don't you just love that sound? That's the delicious Santo in the opening shot. He is too too adorable. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Love it❤️
I can’t stand the sound of people eating but can listen to donkeys for hours!
That munch is a happy sound
Beautiful sound ❤
Here are the three old men having breakfast. Zeb of the Trust is in his blue coat. They are 28, 29, and 30 plus (Zeb) years old. All on Cushings meds. Not high dosages, but it is doing the job as they are all well. But they are heading to that age where old age ailments start to show. Fingers crossed, we will have them for some time to come. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Give them all big cuddles had to say goodbye to my last old man today 😢❤️
Beautiful men 😇
You are doing a wonderful service to these elderly gentlemen.
My very first donkey I got as a rescue from the long defunct Red Hills safari park in West Auckland in '81 as a two year old,passed away at 34 yrs old..She was in good condition no sign of illness ,must have just been her time to go...Was a horrible day for me that day too..
Gorgeous boys. The old donks are an honor to care for 🥰🥰
👍😍
🥰
View more comments
My name is Mickey, and as the song says.... I'm so fine ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a handsome lad❤️
You blow my mind Mickey
Hey Micky your so fine 🥰
I'm Zeb and I got my pj's on and I am ready for dinner then 🛌 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
You look very handsome, Zeb!
Ah huh😍
Hi Zebbie 💞.
It's Friday night...where are we going? ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Come up to Auckland,Bella is looking for a friend still..
Come over to our place to party😏😏
Donkeys are such stoic animals and often won’t let us know they are unwell until they are REALLY unwell! This little dude just didn’t want dinner one night, and when he refused a treat the vet was called! He was not a well little boy, hyperthermic and kidney enzymes elevated. It’s been a tough week, but hopefully he is on the mend! Keep an eye out for any changes in your donkey’s behaviour, they could be trying to let you know they are in need of our help! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Head up wee man ,you'll get thru' it with the good care you're receiving...
Days are colder so the donkeys are loving their hay. It keeps them warm in the winter because their system has to work harder to break down the fibre. So give your donkeys hay morning and night. They don't necessarily need a lot but they will be very grateful. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Mine love their twice a day snack of hay
Here is Santo and Mickey having breakfast. They have become good friends. Uncle Mickey has been teaching Santo a few manners and he is now behaving beautifully. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Lovely boys 😁
So lucky to get an opportunity to go to the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, UK. Just a few photos. People there were wonderful. You can always learn more about understanding and caring for these wonderful, unique animals. The one with its head in the bin had been sedated for its dental. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Wonderful! We have an adoption donkey there, Zena - my husband adopted her as a wedding gift for me. We used to visit there when I was a child and lived around there
So awesome! I'm visiting there soon with my Mum, we adopted a donkey there for her birthday a couple of years ago.
Visiting the sanctuary would have been so cool and very educational, all gorgeous donkeys
Looks fab I bet u wanted to take them all home
Heaven! Right there!
View more comments
Stuck for a meaningful Mother's Day Gift? Why not "Bray it Forward" and make a donation to the Trust on behalf of your wonderful Mum? Not only is it a thoughtful and original gift, it will also help the Trust where we are "Mum" to many long-earred friends!
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/bray-it-forward/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great idea.. 👍 come on people ❤️
Mickey and Santo playing. It is so nice to see. I haven't seen Mickey play since his best friend Pele passed. And I have never seen Santo play. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing 😇🥰😇
Waiting for the lady with the hay.... ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Huh where is our hay?
She late again???? Hard to get good help these days!!!
Lol we have the same problem.
Hay lady?!
Beautiful
Hehehehe 😆
View more comments
It's a big job but someone's gotta do it ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good on ya Zebbie! 💞
A diligent and ambitious ass.
Love it. I wish we had that much hay.
🤣🤣gotta be in 1st
Hehehe 🤣
View more comments
Dear Mickey. He has been playing uncle to Santo. He is so kindly. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good boy Mickey
Beautiful ❤️
Beautiful
Who is in the hay shed? ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Mickey (on the left) and his mini-me Santo. Should we rename Santo Mouse? 🤣🤣🤣 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Oooh santo got a buddy now or is it mouse 🐭 😂🤣
Beautiful
More of Santo. He thinks he is gorgeous too! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Hello my little buddy 💕 He is a super gorgeous boy for sure 💜
He looks so much like Chester 😍
And he is. Lol
Lovely boy!
Beautiful
🥰🥰
He looks so much like Chester 😆
View more comments