Zen Donkey Rescue

ZEN DONKEY RESCUE and Education Center

Marana, AZ

Adoption Guide WHO QUALIFIES? Zen Donkey Rescue is looking for compassionate people to provide adoptive homes for our donkeys.

The donkeys made available for adoption are prescreened for certain qualities including: friendliness towards people, ability to accept a halter, stand tied and lift all four hooves for trimming.

Unlike similar burro adoption programs, our donkeys are not wild and require no specific training in order to be handled.

A typical adoptive family is one that wants a pet and has the extra time to dedicate to the donkey. We do not adopt out donkeys that are trained for riding, packing or driving. While many of our donkeys are capable of learning these disciplines, we prefer homes that are looking for a pet first.

Our adoption program has specific guidelines and we suggest you obtain a copy via the Internet at our website www.zendonkey.org

ADOPTION BASICS In order to provide a safe environment for the adoptive donkeys we adhere to a certain set of criteria guidelines. Some of these guidelines are as follows:

1. Minimum pen size (24’x24’) 2. Adequate protection from the elements 3. Exercise yard for roaming and browsing 4. Quality time with people 5. Vaccinations and regular Vet check-ups 6. Proper hoof care and regular trimming 7. De-worming every three months 8. 2 feedings of grass hay per day 9. Cool, clean water (ice free in winter) 10. Grooming and brushing

Adoption fees and availability explained at time of inquiry. THE RULES

As with any adoption, certain rules apply and must be agreed upon prior to the completion of the adoption process:

1. Never feed alfalfa. 2. Donkeys cannot be used for roping. 3. Donkeys are adopted in pairs unless you already have an equine. 4. Donkeys cannot be bred. 5. Donkeys must be returned to Zen Donkey or to Peaceful Valley if you are no longer able to care for them.

TERMS FACTS

ASS: Common name of Equus Asinus 1. Donkeys first arrived in the US in the BRAY: Distinctive HEE-HAW sound 1600's BURRO: Used to define a wild ass 2. Many donkeys do not like canines CASTRATE: To remove the testicles (geld) 3. Not all donkeys are suitable as guardians DONKEY: Used to define domestic ass 4. Donkeys are extremely intelligent FLEMAN: Flipping up of the upper lip 5. Donkeys do not always show pain FOAL: Baby donkey 6. Donkeys can run in excess of 30 MPH FOUNDER: Deterioration of the hoof bones 7. Donkeys can live in excess of 40 years JACK: Male donkey 8. Miniature donkeys are 36" or less JENNET: Female Donkey (Jenny) 9. Standard donkeys are 36" to 56" JOHN: Male mule 10. Mammoth donkeys are 56" or more MOLLY: Female mule MULE: Cross of a jack and female horse PARASITE: Internal or external worm WITHERS: Highest part of the shoulder BREEDING With so many unwanted donkeys, there is no valid reason for anyone to keep a whole jack or to breed donkeys in general. Indiscriminate breeding is irresponsible and compounds the many problems faced by donkeys.

Many vets are reluctant to castrate older jacks. Their fear is based on the fact that the blood vessels in a donkey are much larger than a horse. Castrations can be safely performed on donkeys of any age as long as the blood vessels are tied off. The proper procedure can be found on our Animal Science web site at: www.animalsciencecenter.org

Zen Donkey Rescue and Education Center www.zendonkey.org

31890 S. Galena Dr. Marana, AZ 85658 (520) 419-6419

Zen Donkey Rescue and Education Center is an affiliate of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, the nation’s premier donkey rescue. Zen Donkey strictly adheres to the philosophy and policies of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. You can learn more about PVDR at their web site, below.

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue

Website: www.donkeyrescue.org Email: [email protected]

Zen Donkey's Mission is to provide a safe and loving environment to all donkeys that have been abused, neglected or are under threat of destruction.

Zen Donkey strives to provide solutions to the many problems that plague these wonderful creatures by providing ethical stewardship over the funds that are necessary to fulfill this goal. Together, we can improve the Plight of the American Donkey.