The Longears Safehouse (TLS) is the only animal rescue organization in the State of New Mexico that specializes in the needs of donkeys, mules, and hinnies. Its charitable purpose is to make the world a better place for donkeys and related longears. It has been helping donkeys and mules in need as an incorporated and federally recognized 501c3 non-profit organization since 2012. TLS accomplishes its mission through a series of programs for rescue intake, rehabilitation and training, adoption and post-adoption assistance, and an educational as well as in-person outreach program for donkey owners needing consultation and/or other types of assistance. For animals we take in for rehab, sanctuary and/or adoption we offer a 40-acre micro-ranch facility just north of Estancia, NM, USA.
Since our humble early beginnings in the summer of 2011 we have helped donkeys from New Mexico, Colorado, Texas and Arizona to find a safe place, in most cases a permanent loving home, or to improve their existing living conditions. Most of the donkeys we take into our rehab program require major efforts in gentling, training as well as a certain period of adjustment before they become able to trust humans. A fair number of them need an extended period of physical and especially mental healing from the consequences of poor handling, mismanagement, neglect and/or abuse. Unlike most domestic horses, donkeys tend to receive much less handling and training from birth, and so part of our job is also to make donkeys acquainted with being handled by farriers and veterinarians, which often is difficult at first.