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.
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...
Rosie of Mamaku – RIP
Sadly Rosie has now left us. But here is her story Rosie is an elderly donkey in her thirties who lives with Pauline...
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.
What a fighter Arty is. Since being in hospital it had been 2 steps forward one step back. On Thursday we were very concerned as she seemed to stop eating again. However since then she has progressed forward each day. Day 8 of antibiotics and it seems her infection has cleared. At least for now. She still loves her willow at night....others in the herd are very envious. But they get the branches the next day. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good effort Arty seems you are on the mend now good news.
Way to go, Arty! So long as there are more forward than backward steps! Glad to see her eating the willow, even with an audience!
Sending you love and donkey hugs from New Zealand.
The wonders of willow - look at those faces on the side line . Great clip
Willow is anti inflammatory and as it's related to aspirin probably has pain relieving properties too.
Wow. What fabulous news 👍 thanks so much to Arty’s guardian for saving her, putting hours monitoring her around the clock. This is what we do. If anyone would like to sponsor Arty and be involved with her progress in life please visit the Donkey & Mule Protection Trust website ❤️❤️
View more comments
Poor Arty can't catch a break. She developed a nose infection after her time at Massey Uni Equine Hospital possibly from the tubing. Three days of penicillin did not clear it so she is now on Day 5 of a 10 day treatment with another antibiotic which has to be injected by a very reluctant nurse. She is still eating, or rather nibbling away at grass and willow. She seems to be holding her own. Fingers crossed.
Find out more about Arty here donkeymuletrust.org.nz/a-donkey-for-christmas/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good luck with a full recovery
Poor Artemis such a health battle hope she can still continue to fight to better health.❤
Sounds miserable - fingers crossed for a full recovery soon ❤️🩹
Poor Artemis, let’s hope she turns a corner soon !
Bless her darling heart. All the best 💖
Come on Arty you can do it. Xo
View more comments
Artemis (Arty) came under the care of the Trust just before Xmas. Unfortunately on Xmas Eve she had to be taken to Massey University Equine Hospital as she had stopped eating and was suffering from colic. She spent 9 days in hospital receiving treatment that involved her being tubed and fluids flushed through her to move the potential blockage. She is now back at her guardian's home but is still not eating as we would like. You can find her full story at donkeymuletrust.org.nz/a-donkey-for-christmas/. Arty's vet costs are high. So we are asking for donations and sponsors to help with her ongoing costs. You can donate at donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donate/ or become a sponsor at donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/. Every little bit helps. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Summer! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
The tractor has been put outside so the boys have more lounging too.
I like your shed Lorraine. Who built it? It has good height
Yep same here 😬💦💦
No better here in the UK!!
Everyone wants some willow ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Mine love that !
Willow is so useful with the aspirin in the bark. Fun watching them trying to catch a feed in the wind.
Happy New Year. And it is a Happy New Year for Tommy and Nibby. Nibby's owner wanted Nibby who was an entire jack to be rehomed where he would have a donkey friend. They got in touch with the Trust who had previously been contacted by Tommy's owner looking for a friend for Tommy. So Nibby was gelded by his owner and rehomed with Tommy. There are now two happy donkeys playing hide and seek. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Lovely boys
Xmas morning....
presents wrapped, Xmas lunch sorted, kids coming over later...having a wee rest in the sun before the mayhem. Merry Xmas! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Merry Christmas to all the donkeys❤❤❤❤❤
Merry Christmas donkeys ❤️❤️
Merry Christmas to you all 🎄
... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Flynn loves having his photo taken ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
A very smoochable face 💋 Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane
He’s one handsome lad.
He is gorgeous
Your so handsome Flynn
What a total good looking lad❤️❤️
Very handsome and photogenic ❤
Adorable 🥰
Gorgeous !!😘
View more comments
Here he is. The most handsome Monty who was recently surrendered by his loving owner due to a change in circumstances. He is over 25 years old and has been a single donkey for many years as he was an entire jack (male donkey). The Trust policy is to geld jacks, unless there are health issues, so we can rehome him with another donkey. Because Monty was in such good condition, he was gelded successfully. We are now asking for donations to contribute toward vet costs and initial cost of care which will be over $800. He will remain with his current guardian until he has fully recovered and has been socialised with other donkeys. If you help with a donation, please go to our website donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donate ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a lovely lad❤️ thanks Donkey Protection Trust and his guardian for looking after Monty😍
He was a super loving gentle donkey …hope he finds a loving home with a wonderful companion.
He is gorgeous. I hope he socialises well
Theres a home for him in middlemarch our boy hamish needs a friend
Ruth Wallis if he comes up for adoption to go in with Pearl 😉 both similar age?
He is a gorgeous boy!
He is handsome lad, hope he can mix well with other donks, will take time
View more comments
Flynn and Errol posing perfectly for a photo. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Both so gorgeous, I love their coats 💕 Rescue is best breed! Shared ~ Ariane
Love the fringe!!
Awesome photo! Lovely boys.
Love this picture ❤️what gorgeous boys❤️❤️
Wow, they have grown 😍
Aww so gorgeous what a great pic❤
Kathryn the goodest boys!!
Maria Constable
💕💕 Love
View more comments
What a lucky farrier to get a donkey cuddle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Our lovely sponsor donkeys, Eve and Flo coming in for dinner. Watch Eve gallop down the hill! Not bad for an old girl ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Just wondering as they are in a big paddock. Do you not restrict there grass?
Eve always keen for a nice feed 💕💕 Such a sweetie .
Good girls Eve and Flo ❤❤
💕
ONLINE Sales of Calendar are now SOLD OUT. Thanks to all of you who have bought our calendars. If you still want one or two calendars please email [email protected] as we may be able to source a few extras. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Well done
Just a quick trip ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
My donkeys would give chase once landed
There are only 10 calendars left!. It's nearly Xmas.....
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2023-calendar/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I have a few left at Lilliput Taupo Animal Park if you run out 🙂
Friends ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
They are too beautiful 😍
Total cuteness 💜💜
Awww!
Hello Trust Supporters
There are only about 25 Trust calendars 2023 left to sell. Thanks to our lovely sponsors www.magnumequipment.co.nz/ and www.vetserviceswairarapa.co.nz/ ALL proceeds from the sale of these calendars goes directly toward helping donkeys under the care of the Trust including Monty (see earlier post) who will need to be gelded before he is rehomed. So if you can order one or two (more) calendars it will be a great help. Here are a few photos of me to encourage you to buy! I am on the cover along with my mate Flynn. What's more its my first birthday on Friday. What a great present to have all our lovely calendars sold.
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/buy-our-2023-calendar/
Thank you
Errol ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you Clovercrest Miniature Donkey Stud for uplifting and caring for Monty over the past few weeks. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
He is a fabulous old boy ! Lucky people who will adopt him . Loves human interaction and being groomed 😊
How do I go about adopting?
Thanks Marion and Peter for looking after this lovely lad. Also thanks to Sally and Ken and also to the Donkey & Mule Protection Trust who will support Sally &😦 Ken❤️❤️
Great work all involved.
Nothing like breakfast with your best mate and Uncle Oscar ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you so much for posting your lovely comment.
I received my calendar today - LOVE it! Thanks so much. Anyone wanting a great gift, order a donkey calendar from this lovely crew 💖
We love Oscar! He’s the best!❤️❤️❤️
Looking for something for lunch? Mind how you go in a donkey owner's fridge. It is worming time so everyone's samples are collected, bagged and named. Then popped into the fridge until delivered to vet. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Oh really, Prudence!
Eve is now on the drop down list on the our sponsorship page! Thank you to those who pointed it out. We have now fixed the problem. donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Have topped up my current weekly sponsoring and added extra for Eve.
Eve is still looking for sponsors. She has settled in really well at Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary and has firmly bonded with Flo, another permanent resident. Eve and Flo both need hard feed morning and night due to lack of teeth. Eve is still under weight and has to be rugged when these cooler periods of weather blow through. But she is so happy with Flo. If you can sign up to sponsor Eve or any of our other sponsor donkeys please go to our website donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
She is definitely there now. Please try again
I already sponsor Chester and Mintie. I cant afford a full sponsor but maybe a small amount to help Eve.
Today was a special day, after 15 months of gaining their trust,Digby and Delilah set off to their new home on trial. They walked on the float in less than 15 minutes, a far cry from having to be sedated last time! I’m so proud of how far they’ve come - go shine my little guys - what an amazing place you’ve landed! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What fabulous news. Thanks so much Digby and Delilah’s carers. Thanks to the Donkey Protection Trust as well ❤️❤️
How wonderful! I wish them all the best. 😍
Digby & Delilah have settled well into their new home. Their new farrier was incredibly patient with them. Love them to bits ❤️ 💕
Fare-well you little darlings.
So good all the work to build their trust up is rewarded with their new homes. So well donkeys
View more comments