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.
It’s that time of year! Why don’t you “Bray it Forward” and get that hard to shop for friend or family member a gift that gives twice!
Click here donkeymuletrust.org.nz/bray-it-forward/ and help us to help our donkeys! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful
Is that the lady with breakfast? She's late...again. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Hehehehe 🤣
Hard to get good hired help these days!!!
Adorable
Oh my gosh, they are so beautiful, wouldn’t care having to get up to serve breakfast with those faces to greet me 💕🤣
To our wonderful supporters - if you are waiting on a tax receipt for your donation towards Doris, Harold, Mickey and Pele and donated directly through bank transfer, can you please email the treasurer at [email protected] with your email/postal address so I can get the receipts sent out. Thank you!! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
*** Thankful Thirtieth ***
We, at the Trust, have a lot to be thankful for. This 30th we are thankful to our amazing sponsors and donors (one in particular who almost single-handedly hauled us out of our financial battles with vet bills). We are thankful for every single donation we receive, no matter the amount because without you all, we'd not be able to do what we do.
Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
We are thankful to all the volunteers at the Donkey and Mule Protection Trust NZ for your time, energy and committment to these wonderful donkeys.
❤️❤️👍
Looking for that last minute Christmas gift? Trying to find a present for the person who has everything?
We have the answer....
Bray it Forward
Complete the form below to donate to our Trust and we will send a card with your personal message to your family member, friend or colleague.
A gift for your person and a gift to the Trust
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/bray-it-forward/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
The beautiful Doris and handsome Mickey would love to thank you all for your amazing and very generous donations towards their vet bills and to cover costs of the much loved but lost companions, Harold and Pele. Both Doris and Mickey are doing well, enjoying life again and the Trust is able to breath a sigh of relief. Thank you never seems enough, but please be sure we really appreciate your support to help us continue to rescue and rehabilitate our beloved long-earred companions. Now we are working hard on building up our reserves again! Thank you everyone! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I'm glad they are both doing well. Long may it continue❤️❤️
Fantastic work to their vets, a very special guardian, and all your generous loving people who have donated ❤️❤️who are supporting the Trust 😍
Doesn't Doris look good now!
Beautiful
You may remember Clark and Gable who were rehomed over a year ago. Here they are under the trees sheltering from the rain keeping a close eye on their flock who also don't like the rain! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful
It's hard work to keep an eye on the flock good work
Look like a pair of gentlemen discussing world events!
Fabulous 😍
Doris sends out a big thank you to all of you wonderful people who donated towards her vet costs. As you can see she is doing well and eating happily with her new buddy Arty....though both are a little damp from the rain, so not their best looks! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So lovely to see Doris doing well and has a new buddy.
Wet or not, both are beautiful and both are fighters! Go girls!
Beautiful 💞
Good girl Doris❤️
When it rains....it pours! Not only do we have huge vet bills for beautiful Doris (who is doing well) and the late Harold, but we have just received an additional five figure bill for Mickey and Pele, who both contracted the virus. Sadly Mickey is now without his best mate, Pele, who succumbed to the virus. These two boys were treated at the home of their amazing Trustee guardian, as the trip to Massey would have been too much for them. Mickey has recovered is doing well and is now back with the herd. However, our bank balance has not recovered, and will not recover for a long time. We are looking at vet bills in excess of $20,000 for this viral attack! Thanks to our amazing supporters, we are almost half way there. We still need your help. The Trust is entirely funded by our amazing supporters and rarely do we find ourselves with this level of expense, so again we are asking for donkey lovers to dig deep in memory of Harold and Pele. We can issue receipts for donations over $5.00 for tax purposes. Can you forego a cup of coffee this week to help the Trust? We want to continue to be able to continue to do what we do, and we will, but we do need your help. Head to our webpage and click on the donation button and remember, it's all about the donkeys!
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I will help, love your work
Beautiful
Will donate a little tomorrow
Poor wee donks! Donated x
Bev Roberts
Maybe it's time you actually gave away or sold some donkeys instead of just begging for money to keep more...
View more comments
We have GOOD news...Doris is now eating on her own and off molasses and bute (and her carer no longer has to dodge hooves!) Doris is now able to join the other donkeys but is being introduced slowly so as to not overwhelm her. She has her new trusty "sidekick", Artemis, to keep her company. Mickey has joined the "boys". It's been two weeks since he lost his much loved buddy, Pele and showed any signs of the virus. He is enjoying a tiny bit of long grass.
The Trust is so grateful to all those who have dug deep, and I mean REALLY deep. With your amazing support we have taken care of over half our almost $14000 vet bill! We can't say thank you enough. We are totally reliant on the generosity of our supporters and support us you have. We still have a long way to go and more vet bills to come (for Pele and Mickey). If you can spare that odd cup of coffee again this week, we would be so thankful. We still have a long way to go financially to meet our debt. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful
Great news for Doris and Pele❤️ and thanks to all those like minded donkey and animal lovers who have donated😍❤️
Yay for Doris!
Such good news for Doris and Pele and their carers can sleep bit easier now too. Love to donks and carers.
Couple of coffees donated. They say water is good for you 😂 Much love to Doris and her carers.
View more comments
Doris wants to say a huge thank you to our dedicated and generous supporters! We are stunned by the generousity and help we have received - just over $6000 so far which is almost half of our current vet bills (with more to come) for Doris and Harold. Doris stopped eating again when she came home from Massey, she was pining and looking for her mate, Harold. Artemis was put with Doris (she had already had the virus and recovered) and has never shown signs of laminitis so could happily graze with Doris and keep her company. Doris is still being given molasses daily (which she hates) but this is being reduced as she begins to eat more herself. The molasses helps keep the hypolipidemia at bay.
We are so thankful for the help with these vet bills. There are still large bills to come in for Pele (who also sadly succumbed to the virus) and Mickey, so if you can contribute the Trust would be incredibly grateful. I know if Doris could talk (or type) she'd want to say a huge thankyou too but for now she will share her latest portraits with her new pal, Artemis (that's her in the background....Artemis tends to love the camera!) ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Nice to see she has a new friend hopefully as they get to know each other she will relax more and recover steadily
so happy she has a new pal, sad for your circumstances and loss, happy to donate to you today, keep up the good work L)
❤️ thanks lovely people.
Well done, Pru. Huge worry. Much care and thoughts to you all xx
All the best for dear Doris. What a nasty virus.
View more comments
Sometimes life throws you are curveball and the Trust is no exception. The last couple of weeks have been horrific for the Trust, and one of our carers in particular. We lost a donkey this week and are absolutely devastated. Doris and Harold were quite new to the Trust and contracted a virus which caused hypolipidemia. Their carer rushed them up to Massey University for intensive care but sadly Harold deteriorated rapidly and the vet team could not reverse the damage done and he lost his battle. Doris spent several days in intensive care and is still not out of the woods but is back home without her mate. As you can imagine our vet bills for these two are immense. We need your help. If you can dig down behind your sofa cushions or under your car seat, or give up a coffee or two this week, in memory of Harold and to help Doris, we would really appreciate it! Donations can be made through our website.
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you so much for those of you who have indeed dug deep! Your compassion for our donkeys and your generosity speaks volumes and we are forever grateful!
Thankyou for caring. Donated.
What virus, Pru? How did they contract it? Will dig deep 😥
So sad for this pair, thank you for caring for them💗, donated x
Will dig deep tomorrow, so sad thanks for trying to save them, very sad Harold lost but you all did what you could😢😢hope Doris keeps improving, she may need a new friend to help❤
Thank you for helping Harold and Doris. So sad poor Harold lost his fight. Hoping Doris gets past this issue and then happily finds another friend. Just donated xx
View more comments
Congratulations to Shane Buchanan for winning our raffle at the Otago Equine Expo. Signed Suzy Cato books and a set of Wonky Donkey books along with a handmade cuddly donkey - great prize! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
We took the big girl to the second day of the Otago Equine Expo and she drew a crowd all day! Who can resist a pair of ears that stand above the round pen! It was great to have so many people come in and give the donkeys lots of cuddles and brushes and to hear about the great job the Trust is doing. Much better weather today too! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful! 🥰😇
How do donkys get in with a horse ?
Bitterly cold winds didn’t stop the donkeys attending the Otago Equine Expo. We hope the weather is a little warmer tomorrow! Only four donkeys today but a few more tomorrow. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
It was lovely to see your cute donkeys at the expo today!
We haven't posted in a while so here are some photos just to remind you we are still here and loving our donkeys. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful
Omg I want one 💜
Beautiful ❤️
Delightful
Their all gorgeous ❤
Cuties
Mule and miniature donkey for salee
View more comments
Donkeys are very emotional animals and love to have a best friend as you can see here as they wait for the lady to give them dinner. Dear Grace lost her bestie and is the one on her own but she is doing fine being in a herd. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
They are all so beautiful ❤️
Matthew Elliott
All so gorgeous they certainly bond strongly
Mule and miniature donkey for salee
Jimmy the Donkey was born in the trenches at the Somme, when a Germany shell fatally wounded his pregnant mother. British soldiers were forced to deliver Jimmy in the mud of the battlefield.
The baby donkey was raised by the troops of the Cameronian Scottish Rifles who fed him condensed milk and rations. They even taught the animal to salute by raising one hoof.
Jimmy would spend the years with the regiment, hauling supplies and keeping his human comrades’ spirits up.
He was wounded three times before the end of the war, but went on to become a mascot of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the 20s and 30s.
He died in 1943 and was buried in Peterborough’s Central Park. A monument was erected to commemorate him.
Follow Us 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁💛 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
This is Bessie and Jamie. As you can see in the post below, Jamie has a knee issue. Bessie is also on medication for PPID and EMS. They are under the expert care of Pauline at the Mamaku Donkey Sanctuary. You can sponsor Bessie and Jamie via our website. All costs for both donkeys are paid for by the Trust. We are very grateful for any donation or sponsorship. Links below.
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donkeys-to-sponsor/
donkeymuletrust.org.nz/donate/ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Here is Jamie who is only twelve.. I picked him and his companion Bessie up a few weeks ago. Both have health issues but am concerned about Jamie. See how he rests his front right leg. X-rays required to see what is going on. If anyone would like to donate $ no matter how small would be most appreciated ❤️ please donate to Donkey & Mule Protection Trust via their website. Without them I would struggle to give Bessie and Jamie the care they need 😍 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful
Poor boy! Hope it’s not too serious!
Mule and miniature donkey for salee
Sweet Zeb. He is angelic. You can sponsor this lovely boy. Please go to our website. Donkeymuletrust.org.nz ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a lovely lad❤️
Is he doing well, Pru?
Angelic is the right word 😇
Beautiful
He is gorgeous!!
Miss my donkeys he looks angelic
Mule and miniature donkey for salee
View more comments
Weather may be appalling, but our hay order has arrived ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So have the troops! 🥰
Yum yum🤣
Been wondering Pru. After some hopeful sunshine back to the Antarctic again!!
Look at those happy little backsides❤️❤️❤️
Bella having a snack 😍
Mule and miniature donkey for salee
View more comments
Breakfast soon? ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Those humans are a bit slow!
... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Helen White you need a betsy in your life