08/30/2025
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF OUR ADOPTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES (The policies are in place to help ensure a successful adoption and reduce returns.)
*Once we designate a donkey for adoption, we announce it on our pages. You can fill out our application form to become pre-approved; we will keep it on file, contact our pre-approved adopters whenever a donkey is available for adoption, and begin setting up viewing appointments.
*The person who will be the primary caregiver of the donkey MUST be present at the viewing. We do not adopt donkeys based on photos, the donkey's looks, as a gift for someone else, or having a proxy pick your donkey out because you can't be there.
* We are not like the dog and cat rescues where people walk in, pick out a dog or cat of their choosing, pay their adoption fee, and take them home. Each person who comes to meet our donkey(s) must be a good fit. We'll watch to see if there is a connection between a donkey and the potential adopter.
*We ensure that the potential adopter can successfully demonstrate their confidence and ability to approach, halter, and lead the donkey(s) and pick out all four feet before taking the donkey home. If the potential adopter is unsure how to perform these tasks, we will provide training to ensure they can complete them before taking their donkey home.
*We accept applications for pre-approval. We will vet and approve or deny the application. Don't worry; if your application is rejected, we will always provide a clear reason and allow you to address the issue.
*We do not adopt single donkeys to anyone unless they already have a donkey at home. We also do not adopt a single donkey as a companion for a horse (or any other livestock farm animal). We strongly believe that donkeys are herd animals and are happiest when they are with their kind. You must adopt two donkeys if you don't already have a donkey at home.
You can follow our donkey Facebook business page to stay abreast of new donkey arrivals, upcoming programs, events, and activities. To see how our donkey rehabs are coming along, to see if any are available for adoption, or who has been adopted.
If you're "only" interested in the availability of a donkey for adoption, join our group page, "Donkeys Needing Homes In The Great Pacific Northwest," to get announcements of donkeys available for adoption (either through us, a private owner, or a donkey rescue).
If you are new to donkey ownership, I "STRONGLY" recommend researching them and learning as much as possible about them. Although they may resemble horses, they are not the same at all. Their diets differ, they don't speak the same language, their body language, and their training techniques differ.
They come from two completely different habitats. Horses are natural grazers and come from grassy plains, while donkeys are natural browsers and come from arid desert environments with sparse drought-resistant vegetation, trees, and bushes.
I suggest starting with our Facebook Group page, "Friends Who Love Donkeys," for educational information. I also highly recommend visiting the Donkey Sanctuary's website. They are highly regarded and respected in the industry and have over 50 years of experience working with donkeys. They are the largest donkey rescue in the entire world, and they assist in conducting research regarding donkey health and welfare. Their learning webinars are free of charge.
Our adoption fees are by donation. You can choose to adopt our donkeys in any amount you would like; however, we reserve the right to suggest a minimum donation to protect ourselves from being unreasonably undercut from other rescues in our state.
Due to the increased costs of running our facility (vet, farrier, feed, medications, insurance, etc.), and the decline in forthcoming donations, we have been forced to discontinue our flat fee on every donkey based on size. We will place a minimum donation suggestion on a portion of each donkey's case-by-case expenses to help defray some of our expenditures. We are B&O taxed only on our "minimum" donation request, and any donation we receive over and above the minimum is not taxed.
There is more to our policies and procedures, but these focus on just the adoption process. You will receive the policies, in their entirety, along with the bank adoption application form.
These policies and procedures have been created and adapted over the years based on our past personal experiences. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
