Rescued Donkeys & Special Needs Donkeys We are located in "Kentucky" This page contains rescue donkeys as well as special needs donkeys - most are considered rescues and are offered for adoption. Many of these animals have been severely neglected or abused. Therefore they should go to a home that has lots of love and patience to give and not expect these donkeys to be just like any other one they would buy that has never had the negative experiences that some of these poor animals have had. These donkeys usually do learn to trust but just need extra time. You should be willing to give them the time they need. The younger the donkey the faster they usually get over their trust issues. Then they can make wonderful pets and companions just like any other donkey and you know that you have given a donkey in need a new chance and beginning!!! They are very smart animals and will realize if you are good to them. These animals are priced according to what we have invested in them and any moneys will go right back into the rescue pot to help any future donkeys in need. If anything we have lost money on several of the rescue animals. For other donkeys for sale please check on our for sale page. Sana (Rescue) -Adopted - (2020) Sana came to us with a group of jennies that we purchased out of unfortunate circumstances. She is at least partially blind on one eye. She is a super sweet girl and woolly to top. She will make a wonderful pet and companion. She is still a young girl and beautiful in her winter coat. In the left picture she is down to her summer fur - right one she still had some winter fur. Valera (Rescue) - Adopted - (2019) Age: unknown - but she is an older jenny that we think was probably bred with her entire life and wasn't properly cared for. In our opinion she should have been retired way before now or better taken care of. We purchased her so this wouldn't have to happen again - she absolutely deserves retirement - she is the sweetest girl though that loves any attention she can get. Sidi and her little jack foal Sebastian (not a rescue but Special Needs)
DOB: 29. April 2019
Sweet Moma - Adopted - (2019)
Jodie is considered a rescue that we brought home from Missouri. Only about a month after we brought her home she gave birth to Kenyon, a very social and lovable little boy. We brought Jodie up to date on vaccinations, wormings and hoof trims. They need to go to a home that either already has other donkeys or they can go together or puchased with one of our other "non-rescues" (see our for sale page). Again, each rescued donkey or group of donkeys has different adoption fees only to recoup what we have invested in them since we don't live on donations and want to coninue occasional rescue. We can only do that if we recoup our expenses. We want them to have their own forever home! Both have been adopted... Adopted out to Kentucky, Tennessee and Arizona (2016) This is a group of three donkeys and a goat that we saved from going to auction - with only one place to go - that I don't even want to think about. Billy Bob is a 7-8 year old billy goat pictured in the top row. Ginger is an overweight 16 year old gray jenny pictured in the second row along with Greta (brown) that is in her 20's and only has one eye. She has been rescued once before through another rescue because her former owner abused her, resulting in the loss of her eye. Goose is the gelding and he is also 16 or 17 years old (last three pictures),They are very sweet donkeys and have been at the same home for the past 12 years. While we first thought that they should be placed together, we think it is better for Greta (the oldest not to be placed with the goat because the goat thinks he is a donkey and wants to ride her constantly. He doesn't do that with the others.). Greta can be placed preferrably with Ginger or to a place that already has another old donkey. Ginger can go to a place with other donkeys if she can't remain with Greta. For Greta it would be best not to have to climb any hills. All of them are friendly including Billy Bob! All have been adopted out: Goose stayed in Kentucky, Billy Bob was adopted out to Arizona and Greta and Ginger went to Tennessee together. Adopted out to Malibu, Ca along with Olina Kelly is a 7 or 8 year old rescue jenny with a cute little boy at her side (DOB: 30. Sept. 2016). He is super social and she is a sweet girl. Adopted out to Hickory, Ky Mary is about 10 years old and has an adorable black/gray little boy (DOB: 06. Oct. 2016) at her side. When Mary came to us her hooves were in horrible shape but we have really gotten them back into shape. Two sweet donkeys..... Adopted out to Indiana Lori is a stunningly colored 8 or 9 year old rescue jenny that gave birth to an adorable little spotted boy (DOB: 9. Sept. 2016). Her little boy is very colorful as well, beautiful spot pattern and the cutest little face. Adopted out to Malibu, Ca along with Kelly Olina is a 7 year old jenny and the last of the rescue girls to give birth to a sweet little girl! (12. Oct, 2016). If someone would like two jenny/foal pairs Olina and Kelly came here as friends.
Adopted out to Malibu, Ca along with Rosie Adopted out to Siler City, NC Pearl - frosted spotted white 16 or 17 year old jenny with the cutest gray jack foal (born 02. Sept. 2016) - he has the cutest head. Pearl has had really sore feet when she got here. She cannot be on too much grass. She seems to know that and loves to hang around the barn to eat hay. She is the sweetest girl one can imagine. We can let her out into the front yard for a little grazing and she never wanders off - she'll go back to the gate when she wants back in or follows us when we tell her it's time to go back up. We never got to know a donkey quiete like her. Pearl needs to go to a home where she will have a good farrier, will be loved, and where she absolutely will never be bred again. Pearl will be adopted out with her baby, that is just as sweet as she is!
Pearl and her baby boy ("Jasper") have been adopted out to North Carolina.
Adopted out to Maple Park Il, and Malibu, Ca. Rosie and Candie left - Candie top row, Rosie bottom row
Adopted out to Buchanan, Michigan (now a gelding) This spotted boy, is 5 years old. His former owners say that he enjoys driving a cart. We don't have a cart so can't vouch for it, but are passing on what his owners said. In our opinion he should be gelded. He has smudges of color all over - and a cute smudge right in his face. He looks to be a dark brown/gray/white spotted. Nickel's first pictures when he arrived - he was so dirty it was hard to tell where his spots were. His hooves were really long but not as bad as the girls' feet. Ginger, according to her former owner is 13 years old. She is such a sweet, small girl! Adopted out to Trenton, Illinois (as a companion to our Tina and Malia).
Big Moma above and Libby below will be up next for adoption....Libby is about 11 years old... We were not told on Big Moma... but think she is similar age. We have seen both girls come into heat so they should not be bred. We would like to adopt them out together or to a home with another donkey. Both come up for attention and treats.... and are looking for their forever home. Both jennies are adopted out to London Kentucky (2016)
We have free puppies and a Great Pyrenees mom that are in desperate need of a good home. Mom was dumped into our neighborhood and left to starve. She had no place to go and we started to feed her since she was just skin and bones when she made the attempt to hang around our farm. 2 weeks later she delivered a litter of puppies (7 in total of which 2 were stillborn). We had no idea she even was pregnant until just a few days before she had her babies. She didn't show at all. We have attempted everything locally to find both mom and puppies a new home but had no luck. Mom (we call her Saafi is a very sweet dog and gets along with our kids and animals just fine. We don't know what breed the dad is. Pups were born in February. My sister in Germany has volunteered to give one lucky puppy a wonderful home and we may keep one of the pups that the kids got very attached to. That leaves mom and 3 pups! All are spotted and and one is blue marbled (middle picture). If you feel you can provide a good home for any of them please call or e-mail. - Adopted - Update: All have found wonderful new homes! One of the puppies has been placed to Virigina. Mom and one of her pups have gone to Louisville. The last puppy has gone to a wonderful family in Florida. We are so thankful that they will now all have a chance at a happy and healthy life!
These are three little jack foals in need of a good and permanent home. (Yes, I know I shouldn't have put a pink halter on them...). We purchased them from an older lady whose husband is very ill and she can't do all the work by herself anymore. (two of these boys were supposed to be girls - but that's another story). These boys would have ended up at an auction if we didn't agree to purchase them with our group of girls. They are weanlings, the two dark brown ones are microchipped. They have a current negative coggins test and are ready for a permanent home. If you think you can provide a loving and permanent home for one, two are all three of these boys please e-mail us at: donkeys@littlefriendsranch.com or littlefriend@dishmail.net or call: 270-753-9270 Update: These little guys have been adopted out to two seperate homes. Though Dolly is not a rescue donkey - she is offered for adoption as a special needs donkey - to a non-breeding home only.
Sambo in summer coat on left - right in his winter coat. Sambo is a miniature donkey gelding up for adoption. He should be about 5 years old according to his former owner. He has had his vaccinations and is now current on his deworming. He still needs work. He used to be a teaser stud on a horse farm and apparently was mistreated and beaten in the process. The people that "rescued" him didn't have that much time to work with him and didn't know a thing about donkeys to begin with. They were kind enough to buy him off the horse farm and got him gelded. They purchased a baby from us and we bought this gelding from them since they were worried that he would end up being mistreated again if he went to an auction. They are probably right. That is why we have made it our goal to find him a good and hopefully permanent home. I have been working a little with him and it is apparent that he must have been beaten across his back end anyway - probably across the right side of his face/head/body as well. He is better approachable from his left side than from his right side. He does eat feed from my hand as well as out of a bowl sitting on my lap. He seems to want to know where my hands are at all times. He likes his tail head scratched but is still very scared - he doesn't like his head handled much, yet - nor does he want the insides of his ears rubbed, yet. He lets me brush him with a soft brush now. He does greet me with a bray when I come into the barn and seems to be happy to see someone. He is a beautiful guy, almost black with a dark nose. I'm hoping to find him a place where he gets some attention to make him feel more comfortable around people. Poor guy - I wished I could see what he went through or wished he could talk to tell me. Sambo has been adopted and is still trying to overcome his issues.
We are also looking for a home for this boy! He is about 19 months old, and looks to mature into a large standard. We have taken him in, completely unhandled, to safe him from having to go to the sale. He has great potential for a cart donkey, companion or even a riding donkey for a child. He is heavy boned, and has beautiful conformation. He is around 46-48" at this time. I don't have a measuring stick big enough to accurately measure him. He is considered a rescue and is in dire need of a good home! We don't have the facilities to keep him for long but do not want him to go to the sale to end up unloved and unhandled. He is already enjoying his neck and ear rubs but will need a lot of work. He seems to be a very smart boy getting used to his routines very quickly! If you think you can help Torino - please e-mail us at donkeys@littlefriendsranch.com Adoption Fee: $100 Adopted out to Anita Smith and Family, New Carlisle, Indiana. Torino has been to shows and is doing great!
While we have taken in, rehabilitated and placed several rescue donkeys (minis and standards) throughout the years we feel that we should share our latest experience. To us all animals are special and deserve a loving home and we will continue to do our best to try to help animals in need - especially the longears that are such a big part of our daily life! Early February 2005 we brought home three little Rescue Miniature Donkeys. They had been left without shelter, some rotten, old round bales of hay that were dark to the core (that they tried to eat), and without hoof care or health care. They did not have names. We had already tried to find them a home after I saw them for the first time back in November of 2004. We were not in the position to take them in at that point, thought we had them placed but all fell through. No one wanted to pay the price the owners were asking and not willing to come down on. We finally, with the help of some wonderful, caring people that provided financial, professional and moral support (we couldn't have done it without them) were able to take the 7 hour round trip to bring home the donkeys. They had not been wormed or vaccinated, and their hooves were in really bad shape. While the owner did have their hooves what looked like "sawed off", possibly because of the comments that I had made when I had seen them the first time, that is all they did - sawed off the curled up 6" or so of their front hooves. When we went to pick them up - of course it was raining when we left - since they had no shelter we took the trip anyway to get them out - it was fairly warm and most of the trailer is enclosed. They were used to worse. We put lots of bedding into the trailer since we knew their hooves were likely still in bad shape even with the hoof trim they had received about 2 months earlier. So if they needed to lay down they could do so comfortably. The donkeys loaded easily - they smelled the hay we had in the trailer for them and got in right away - we didn't have to even put halters on them. They didn't think twice about it. By the time we came home the hay was gone! They were not really skinny since they did have some pasture that they apparently lived off, plus the rotten hay bales. Their fur even looked remarkably good for being out in the weather all of the time - when we inspected them closer a few days later we did find several places of rain rot though which is NOT necessarily a sign of neglect - especially in this part of the country. Here are some hoof pictures that we took after we unloaded them - they are of the jennies' hooves (the jack's hooves were still in relatively good shape - only a bit long):
The jennies had a difficult time walking on the hard surfaces - the smallest one looked really crippled when she tried to walk - very uncomfortable! Her hoof walls were curled completely under and had almost closed off the foot from the bottom. The space was not wide enough to even get a hoof pick in. She was basically walking on a round tube. The jack foal was wild - he will need some work - he fought the halter and my husband that was holding on to the rope - he wanted to get away and tried every way he knew to try. The bigger jenny is similar the smaller one is fairly friendly. Since the owner had indicated that both jennies should be pregnant - they didn't look to be pregnant to us! We hope they are NOT! It will just be an added burden for them with their hooves needing so much work! We wormed them the day after they arrived with a mild wormer - and disposed of their poop away from any of our other donkeys. Afterall they are new and have to be quarantined - for them it means having to stay in a stall in the barn. They are not overly excited about that since they have been used to be outside ALL of the time! Soon they will be able to go in and out as they please. It's been raining again and they are nice and dry! The first couple of days they ate everything I put in front of them - they are slowing down now and are leaving more leftovers... A few days after they arrived they had their first hoof trim - which was a several hour long project - I held the hooves, while they were trimmed. It was not easy since they were so grown under that we couldn't even get a hoof clipper to get a hold of any of the hoof. When we finally had it opened up enough to where we could use the clippers what came off was at least 1" thick - the whole hoof was just a big mingled, grown together chunk. We had a rough time finding the frog within the hooves. After the trim the girls walked so much easier! While it will take some time (if the legs are not structurally messed up from apparently years of neglect) to get the curves to grow out and trimmed out - we are more positive that eventually we may be able to do this. We are happy that the girls feel better and that they have a new lease on life! Here are pictures after the trim: We have also given them names for the first time in their life! Parsley is the smallest jenny - probably between 6-7 years of age, Kiwi is the bigger jenny (we are not sure about her age), and Alfredo is the jack, about 9 months old. Alfredo had still been nursing but is now being weaned. We are now thinking that his mother, Parsley is likely pregnant again. Parsley will be needing the longest time for recovery with her hooves and if pregnant will have her baby here in peace! Kiwi is getting nicer by the day - she is letting me pet her now. Alfredo is coming along as well. He has let me pet him for the first time on his neck while he was eating his grain almost a week after we picked him up. Alfredo Kiwi Parsley
We will also be looking for a responsible home for Alfredo. Alfredo is being worked with and should be friendly by the time he leaves our farm! He will have had his shots, de-wormings and hoof care - The potential new owner will have to agree to provide regular hoof care, vaccinations and de-wormings, and lots of LOVE! He will also have to have an equine companion. We would like for any homes to be permanent so that he will not end up as one of those poor animals that get shoved around from home to home once the novelty wears off, or a child looses interest.... If you feel like that you are able to provide such a home please e-mail us at donkeys@littlefriendsranch.com or call 270-753-9270. 13. Feb. 2005: They have had their first round of vaccinations today and Kiwi let me brush her for the first time! 04. March 2005: They are doing well. Parsley has balooned out quite a bit - so we are sure she is pregnant and is probably actually pretty far along. We have also found two wonderful homes for Alfredo and Kiwi. Alfredo has gotten much friendlier since we moved Kiwi out of his stall. He enjoys being brushed and rubbed on now. He will likely get to go outside in just a few more days. 12. March 2005: They got their second round of vaccinations and Alfredo gets to go into a large corral during the day time while Parsley stays out with our other pregnant girls. She only comes in for feeding time. We can see some new growth on Parsley's hooves already. 23. March 2005 Alfredo is making wonderful progress. He enjoys our company and my little girl (4 years old) was allowed to brush him for the past couple of days. He stood still and seemed to really enjoy it. Every time she stopped he moved in closer to her to make sure he was in her arms reach. What a change.... 15. April 2005 Alfredo has come a long way - he has really been enjoying his daily grooming. He even did great while I had to give him a bath. After the bath he lost many of his "curls" and his fur is straighter now. He also has gone through another round of de-worming. He seems to have really taken to our 4 year old girl. Today, Alfredo was picked up by his new owners and is now on his way to Florida. I am so thankful for such special people that have given him a permanent home where all he is there for is to be loved on and to enjoy himself. I really do appreciate that they were willing to drive all the way up here to pick him up in person. Parsley seems to be a little tired on her feet. She is really heavy and wide now and I really think she can't get any wider. If donkeys could get stretch marks I'm sure she would have plenty! I'm hoping for her to not to have to go too much longer - she has a bag but it is still pretty loose.
9. May 2005: Parsley had her baby last night at 8:30 PM
- born on Mother's Day! We would have lost the baby if we hadn't been right
there with her when she went into labor! She had a "red bag delivery" meaning
that at least a large part of the placenta detached before the baby was born
and the baby did not break through the placenta but came out encased in it -
depriving the baby of oxygen. The baby even with the speedy assisted delivery
was oxygen deprived and was a "dummy foal". With assistance through the night
he is able to nurse on his own this morning - at least on one side. He has not
figured out yet - that he can nurse from both nipples. His left front hoof and
right back hoof were slightly contracted but by this morning have pretty much
normalized. He still favors his left front leg a little bit but I think he
will be fine with plenty of exercise with it being a mild case. He looks very
much like Alfredo - her jack foal she arrived with, here.
Parsley 9 hours before delivery Parsley baby (Mocha Latte) pictures at 12 hours of age
28 July 2005: Parsley and Mocha are doing well. Parsley will be going to Florida some time in September. We are not sure yet, if Mocha will be going with her. Mocha is staying very small being just 23 1/2 - 23 3/4" at almost 3 months of age. Mocha had a very bad over bite when he was born and I am pleased to say that his bite has improved a lot. We have heard from Kiwi's owners and she delivered a spotted baby girl on 26. July 2005. They are thrilled! We are grateful that all went well and that both Kiwi and baby girl are doing fine! Here is a picture of Kiwi's baby. September 2005 Parsley has left to go to her new home to live with Marilyn Watson of Greenville, Florida. Marilyn came up here to spend a day with Parsley before she took her back home. Parsley now has a wonderful loving home which she deserves so much. Picture above: Parsley and her new owner Marilyn Watson at Mule Day - Nov. 05, 2005 - Parsley is looking great thanks to Marilyn's thorough knowledge in hoof care, chiropractic adjustments and herbal treatments. Parsley placed 2nd in her halter class that had 8 other entries. I am thrilled considering what kind of shape this little jenny was in just 6 months earlier. Testimonials from new "Donkey Parents" Viscous Dog Attacks (contains a disturbing picture) Rescued Donkeys
Please click the link below to E-mail us: The Little Friends Ranch Nadia Attia-O'Bryan 1034 Carl Crisp Rd. Almo, KY 42020 270-753-9270
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