Hoosier Donkey Rescue

04/19/2026

Thank you Ricky Gervais for helping shine a light on something many people don’t realize…

Each year, an estimated 5.9 million donkeys are killed globally for their skins to produce ejiao, a gelatin used in traditional medicine and cosmetics. These gentle, hardworking animals are often stolen from families in vulnerable communities and subjected to unimaginable suffering.

And while many assume this only happens overseas, thousands of donkeys are still sent to slaughter in the United States each year.

At Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary, we see firsthand just how kind, intelligent, and trusting these animals are. They deserve protection—not exploitation. These are not disposable animals… they are gentle, loyal, and incredibly intelligent companions. We see it every single day.

They deserve safety.
They deserve kindness.
They deserve a voice.

Please help us spread awareness for the donkeys who cannot speak for themselves. 🫏💛

Buy a bottle of Ginger Spiced &
help save some donkeys ❤️
dutchbarn.com

04/19/2026

Our herd needs friends like you! 🫏❤️

From daily facility care (our biggest need!) to training sessions and special farm projects, there's a spot waiting for you at Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary. Facility care is a daily labor of love! Whether you have an hour a week or two days, your hand can change lives here at the sanctuary and rescue.

We have a fun and safe environment and the donkeys will certainly entertain you while you work.

We have board fencing projects about to start and could use some help. We have the right tools and equipment, just need some more hands.

We are located just 2.5 miles north of Metamora.

Visit → hoosierdonkey.org/volunteer to get started.

04/02/2026

🌧️ A Little Change… But Still an Egg-stra Special Easter! 🐣🐴

We had been looking forward to welcoming everyone out to the farm for Ears to an Egg-stra Special Easter, but with rain in the forecast, we want to make sure everyone stays warm, dry, and comfortable.

✨ Good news — the fun is still on! ✨

We’ve been invited to bring some of our beloved donkeys to Family Farm & Home in Harrison, OH, where kids can meet them up close and indoors!

🐴 Meet the donkeys
🐣 Enjoy a fun Easter atmosphere
💛 Experience the same heartwarming connection — just without the mud.

While we won’t be hosting the egg hunt at the farm this year, we’re excited to still create a special day for families and little ones. Starting at noon, candy filled Easter Egg Hunts organized by age groups (under Pre-K, Pre-K - 4, 5 - 8, 9 -12 yrs old). Each age group has a GOLDEN EGG to find and win a Grand Prize Basket.

📍 New Location: Family Farm & Home, Harrison, OH
🕒 Time: Fun starts at 12pm noon, Saturday, April 4th

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. As always, everything we do is centered around giving these donkeys the love, care, and forever home they deserve.

We can’t wait to see you there 💛
— Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary

Get EGGcited!

03/17/2026

Proof that the winds had other plans for the donkeys Hay Hut snack shack. I moved the other Hay Hut in the other donkey paddock to the hay shed so we didn't loose it too.

It's nearly 80 ft downhill from the fence. Hopefully we are able to drag it up without cracking it.

03/17/2026

Yesterday’s winds were no joke.

One of our Hay Huts decided it had dreams of flight and launched itself over the non-climb fence, sailed down the ravine into the woods about 80 feet from the fence.

Thankfully all the donkeys and animals are perfectly fine — just a bit confused about why their snack shack went on an adventure without them.

The donkeys would like everyone to know:

1. They did not approve this relocation.
2. They would like their snack shack returned immediately and filled with their hay.

Next mission:
Cut a section of fence, rope the hut, and drag it back up the hill where it belongs and pray it's still usable!

Farm life…always an adventure.

Video below of the great Hay Hut escape of 2026. 😅

02/13/2026

💔 Important Update from Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary

With heavy hearts (and a thermometer in hand), we need to share an update.

Our sweet Love & Longears event scheduled for this Saturday will be postponed. We have tested positive for Flu B, and while we’re doing everything we can to stay healthy, we don’t want to risk exposing our amazing supporters.

As much as we were looking forward to welcoming everyone for our first meet & greet fundraiser, the health of our community comes first. The donkeys agree — they prefer kisses and carrots, not coughs and sneezes.

💌 The good news: Our Valentine fundraiser is still happening! You can still purchase one of our adorable Valentine cards, and we’ll happily mail them to you or someone you love. The donkeys promise to supervise every envelope. Thank you to all those that have donated and supported our donkeys.

🌷 And don’t worry… this just gives us more time to plan something even bigger and sweeter. We are officially moving our celebration to Easter weekend and will be hosting a Spring Meet & Greet with an egg hunt for the kids! Watch for posts or check out the website, https://hoosierdonkey.org/events

Thank you for understanding. Thank you for loving our longears. Thank you for sharing our posts. And thank you for being willing to show up for this little rescue with the biggest heart.

Stay healthy, friends and hope to see you at the Easter event, watch for details soon.

02/12/2026

💘 Love & Longears – A Valentine That Truly Makes a Difference 💘
Valentine’s Day is about love…
And here at Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary, love has long ears. 🫏❤️
This month, we’re raising funds to help provide:

✨ Feed and hay
✨ Veterinary care
✨ And the daily love our rescued donkeys (and other animals!) deserve

When you donate to our Love & Longears fundraiser, you can send a sweet Valentine card to someone special — or simply sponsor a rescue in honor of someone you love.

It’s a small gift that makes a BIG difference.

These donkeys didn’t get the best start in life. Today, they are safe — because of people like you.

💌 Send love.
🫏 Help a longear.
❤️ Be part of something meaningful.

Donate here:
👉 https://hoosierdonkey.org
👉 Venmo Hoosier Donkey Rescue

If you can’t give right now, sharing this post helps more than you know.

Let’s show these sweet souls just how much love the world can hold.

More information can be found at our website, https://hoosierdonkey.org/events.

02/12/2026

💘 Love & Longears – A Valentine That Truly Makes a Difference 💘

Valentine’s Day is about love…
And here at Hoosier Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary, love has long ears. 🫏❤️

This month, we’re raising funds to help provide:
✨ Feed and hay
✨ Veterinary care
✨ And the daily love our rescued donkeys (and other animals!) deserve

When you donate to our Love & Longears fundraiser, you can send a sweet Valentine card to someone special — or simply sponsor a rescue in honor of someone you love.

It’s a small gift that makes a BIG difference.

These donkeys didn’t get the best start in life. Today, they are safe — because of people like you.

💌 Send love.
🫏 Help a longear.
❤️ Be part of something meaningful.

Donate here:
👉 https://hoosierdonkey.org
👉 Venmo

If you can’t give right now, sharing this post helps more than you know.

Let’s show these sweet souls just how much love the world can hold.

More information can be found at our website, https://hoosierdonkey.org/events

02/09/2026

🎤 Barnyard Gossip — Unblanketing Eve Edition 🎤

Whispers overheard near the hay hut…

“You hear they’re taking the blankets off Monday?”
“Yeah… management says it’s time.”
“Time? According to who?”
“I don’t know. The calendar, apparently.”
(collective snort)

“And what about him?”
“You know… the 39-year-old.”
“Ohhh, he says he doesn’t care.”
“Right. ‘I have endured many winters,’”
(one dramatically deepens voice)

“He pretends he doesn’t care…”
“…but watch him stand closer to the barn Tuesday morning.”
“I guarantee he’ll just happen to position himself directly in the sun patch.”

“And if the wind picks up?”
“He’ll look at the humans like, ‘Interesting decision you’ve made.’”

“And don’t forget the mash schedule. If breakfast is even three minutes late, he’ll suddenly remember he has opinions.”

“I bet he keeps his ‘serious elder statesman’ face on the whole time.”

“Oh absolutely. He’ll act like the blanket was his idea to remove.”

“But if someone offers to put the liner back on?”

“Dignified silence.”

“Followed by immediate acceptance.”

Meanwhile, the rest of us will be out here:
• Feeling 10 pounds lighter
• Rolling dramatically
• Showing off our questionable winter hair
• And pretending we weren’t completely dependent on those blankets for 3 weeks

Monday is going to be interesting.
Bring snacks.

Make sure you follow the saga and read the other posts in the blanketing series. Also, our first event of 2026 is this Saturday. Join us for Love & Longears from 12-2pm. We are located 3 miles north of Metamora, Indiana. https://hoosierdonkey.org

02/09/2026

A Statement From a 39-Year-Old Gentleman

I have been informed that the blankets may come off on Monday.
Very well.
I have worn my liner and outer coat without complaint.

A seasoned animal does not fuss about such things.
We endure winter with quiet dignity.

The younger ones fidget.
They kick at straps.
They perform unnecessary theatrics.

I do not.

I simply stand.

And accept my warm mash.
Four times daily.
As is proper.

If the blankets are removed, I will not object.
I will not sigh.
I will not glance meaningfully toward the feed room.
I will not notice the breeze.
I will not miss the comforting weight across my back in the early morning chill.

I will not, under any circumstances, look at you as though you have personally betrayed 39 winters of earned wisdom.

However…
Should a warm mash appear a few minutes sooner…
Or should someone reconsider this “removal plan”…
I would receive that decision with the same calm grace I always display.

I have survived many seasons.
I do not need the blanket.
But I do appreciate it.

Carry on.
— The Elder Statesman of the Barn

Follow the saga by reading the other posts in the blanketing series. Join us at our first event of 2026, Love & Longears, on Saturday, 14th from 12-2pm. https://hoosierdonkey.org