"Feed the Herd, Heal the Heart"

Haven Medical Needs and Donkey Care Fundraiser ♥️

At the Donkey and Equine Haven, our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home donkeys in need. Many of the donkeys we take in come from dire circumstances, often suffering from neglect and poor conditions. Almost all require medical attention, ranging from basic care to extensive treatments, and all arrive needing proper nutrition and support.

As the costs of providing this critical care continue to rise, we are launching our “Feed the Herd, Heal the Heart” fundraising campaign to support these efforts.

The need is great, and with your support, we can ensure that these donkeys receive the life-saving medical attention and ongoing care they deserve. Every dollar contributed will help us provide hay, medical treatment, and a safe haven for donkeys recovering from neglect, abuse, injury or abandonment. Together, as a community, we can help them heal and give them the second chance for a better life!❤️

Below are the greatest needs of the Haven. Our goal is to fundraise enough to purchase these vital items for the donkeys.

Essential Medical Equipment

Ultrasound Machine: Lately, the Haven has been struggling to find a veterinary hospital to provide adequate care for our donkeys. Obstacles are location, a shortage of large animal vets in our area, few vets who know how to treat donkeys and/or who are busy enough they do not want to treat donkeys and retainer requirements that are out of reach for us. When an animal is too sick to transport, we’ve been left helpless because there is no one to do farm calls.💔

Having the capability to do lung scans at intake and target those donkeys who have pneumonia and abscesses, neither of which manifest symptoms until the donkey is critically ill, would save lives, and tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. The ability to scan for abdominal issues when an animal shows signs of colic or hyperlipemia is the difference between saving a life and watching an animal suffer and (possibly) die while we beg for veterinary assistance. We require a machine that is portable and weatherproof, which drives up costs. The price for a new or refurbished machine (depending on availability) ranges from $16K to $21,700.

Medication Supply: In addition to maintaining a ready supply of nebulization treatment medications, many donkeys require high-dose medications administered over a 14-day period, with costs reaching up to $500 per prescription. Additionally, ensuring a consistent stock of dewormers is vital to supporting the ongoing health and well-being of our donkeys.

Squeeze Chute: The squeeze chute is an essential tool that provides a secure and safe environment for donkeys during medical exams and treatments. It helps keep both the donkeys and our team safe throughout these procedures. Most of the donkeys we rescue are not socialized and often arrive frightened and confused, unsure that we are here to help and not harm them.

The squeeze chute ensures we can safely secure them, allowing us to conduct thorough exams and administer necessary treatments, such as nebulization, which is frequently required for donkeys suffering from pneumonia. Since we handle most of our medical care on-site rather than at a veterinary clinic or hospital, the chute is indispensable to providing the medical attention these donkeys need while keeping everyone safe.

Water tubs: We need multiples of the two sizes of water tubs— 150 gallons and 300 gallons. The smaller fits into the larger and creates insulation. Between the two, we can prevent freezing during the winter months, while still utilizing them in the summer. Since we do not have electricity at the Haven, we rely on these DIY solutions to ensure our donkeys remain properly hydrated, which is critical to their health and well-being. We have a need for 4 of the 150 gallon and 4 of the 300 gallon tubs.

These water troughs will significantly improve our daily operations. Currently, we must break ice in up to 20 smaller buckets and troughs every few hours during freezing Texas temperatures. A single main trough would not only simplify this process, but also enhance the quality of life for both the donkeys and our team. This would allow us to focus more on other essential tasks, such as maintaining hygiene, feeding, and addressing medical needs, instead of constantly breaking ice during the frigid temperature days. Ensuring the donkeys have access to clean, ice-free water is vital, as inadequate hydration can lead to dehydration or colic, both of which can be life-threatening.

Wash Rack: The wash rack will serve multiple purposes, primarily for grooming and maintaining the donkeys' cleanliness. More importantly, it will allow us to apply essential treatments such as anti-fungal shampoos, deep conditioners for dry skin, and other products that require water for application and rinsing. These treatments are crucial for improving their coat and addressing specific skin or grooming needs. Additionally, the wash rack will be instrumental in assisting with cleaning and maintaining the donkeys' hooves, which is vital to their overall health and well-being.

Patience Pole: The patience pole is a valuable tool for helping donkeys build patience, self-confidence, and control. To use it for a lesson, we securely halter the donkey and tie it safely to the pole, allowing the donkey to remain there until its calm. Once the donkey is relaxed and no longer resisting, the lesson is concluded. This training method allows us to socialize the donkeys more effectively, preparing them for adoption and ensuring they are safer for their new families. Over time, it significantly improves their quality of life by reducing stress, fostering trust, and boosting confidence.

Loafing Sheds: The Haven rapidly expanded post-covid, as people began to deal with new economic realities and the insatiable desire for cheap goods began to change the marketplace economy. More and more donkeys were being dumped into the slaughter pipeline. We quickly went from an average of 20 – 30 donkeys per year to an average of 100. We desperately need shelter for all of our residents against these harsh Texas winters. Cold and rain are an enemy of the Donkey, and in North Texas, we experience Arctic-chilled air blowing in from the Northwest and down across the Southern Plains. Shelter is crucial, even for these tough animals. Donkeys, unlike other livestock, are not water-proof and being cold and wet can be deadly to them. We must have shelters that withstand strong winds and storms. The wind is brutal here any time of year and we want all of our donkeys to be safe and stay healthy. It’s also important for them to have a place to heal.

Feeding the Donkeys: At The Haven, we care for 100 donkeys who consume at least 8-10 bales of hay every day. This essential nourishment adds up to $5,000 in hay costs each month, ensuring our herd stays healthy and well-fed. Over the past two years, our costs for grain and hay have risen significantly.

Farrier and Castration: 50% of our new intakes require immediate farrier care. Many have been neglected to the point of developing 'Turkish slipper,' where their hooves are overgrown and curl backward. This condition, along with general hoof neglect, demands extensive farrier treatment to prevent further damage. We also provide ongoing hoof care for the entire herd as needed. Approximately 90% of our new intake donkeys are male and require castration, making it an ongoing and necessary expense for the Haven.

🌟How you can help: 🌟

Every dollar you donate goes directly toward the care of our donkeys. For example, $25 covers the cost of two bales of hay, and $75 buys a large round bale that feeds the donkeys in our pastures.

If you know anyone who may have equipment to donate, we’d love to hear from you! You can also support us by setting up a monthly donation through our website or purchasing much-needed items from our Amazon Wishlist, linked below. If you feel led to purchase and donate any of the equipment items, please contact Karla Vargas directly at: 214-843-4285

Spreading the word about our mission on social media is another way to help at no cost to you—it helps us raise awareness and grow our support network!

It truly takes a village to rescue and care for these donkeys, and we are so grateful for every bit of support from our incredible community. Whether you donate, share, or simply spread the word, you’re making a difference and helping us provide the love and care these donkeys deserve!

On behalf of the entire Haven Volunteer team, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!♥️

Click here to donate to the Haven's Amazon Wishlist

The mission behind the Donkey and Equine Haven and why every dollar makes a difference for the lives of these donkeys:

**Donkey and Horse Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit and all tax-deductible donations will buy hay, feed, medicine, and pay for veterinary and farrier care. Everyone who works at the rescue is a volunteer and none of the officers are compensated in any way.

Feed the Herd, Heal the Heart

Donkey Care and Medical Needs Fundraiser