Do You Adopt Out?
Yes, we do adopt out animals but we have many non-negotiable adoption requirements.
We occasionally adopt out horses, ponies and mini horses but The Farmette's primary focus is on donkeys. Please read through all the information on this page before completing an application. We have adoptable animals in and near Pipersville, PA and south of Indianapolis, IN. We have a required adoption range so to save you time and effort, please contact us to confirm your location before you complete our adoption application.
Donkeys can live a long time, some up to 4o+ years old. Prospective adopters should take this into account when determining an appropriate match. Adoptions should be considered a life-long commitment. When a pet is likely to outlive an owner, specific safeguards should be in place and provisions should be made that will ensure the pet's protection and ongoing care.
Adoption Criteria
We consider each adoption application individually but there are many issues that are "no exceptions" for us. Before you take the time to complete our application, please read through these points carefully (as well as the FAQs below) and be in touch with any questions.
Single Donkeys and Other Animals
We very occasionally adopt out single donkeys but only to homes that already have at least one donkey and only when we have a donkey that hasn't already buddied up with another. Donkeys are very social animals who form deep bonds and it is somewhat rare for us to have a donkey that doesn't already have a good friend. We know there are people want to adopt one donkey to be a friend for a single donkey they already have and we are happy to hear from you in case we can help, but we will not separate pairs or even small groups of three or more donkeys that are bonded and already happy. If you have just one donkey who needs a donkey friend and we don't have an appropriate single donkey, consider adopting two instead. Most donkeys prefer to live in a herd and are open to adding new friends. Also, a single donkey will never be adopted alone to be a companion for a horse, but a pair or more of donkeys can be adopted to be companions for a horse. We recommend that adopters not mix donkeys with goats, sheep, etc. as these other animals may be injured or even killed. Adopting donkeys to serve as companions for horses doesn't always work. If donkeys are turned out with horses that do not require management with a dry lot, the donkeys typically become obese and develop a variety of serious physical problems. If you have a horse that needs a friend, it is better to consider another horse.
Adopter Abilities
Adopters must be physically capable of handling, grooming, picking out feet, holding the donkey for the farrier and vet, and be able to handle the daily barn chores necessary to provide a clean, safe environment for the donkeys. The adopters must be the people directly responsible for and personally involved in the daily care of the donkey. Please note that donkeys live a long time. This reality must be taken into consideration when determining a good match between donkeys and adopters.
Property
Adopters must own and live on the property where they will keep the donkey. No property is the same as another and we evaluate each application individually. However, perimeter fencing must be no-climb equine mesh or 3-4 board with mesh, depending on the size and temperaments of the donkeys. The no-climb equine mesh on the perimeter must be installed on the inside of the fence posts (i.e., where the animals are), not on the outside of the fence posts. No wooden rail without mesh, electric strand fencing, flex fencing, vinyl fencing, tape, barbed wire or high tensile wire will be approved. A dry lot is typically recommended; it is required for properties where donkeys would eat too much grass.
Barn Shelter
An appropriate shelter must be provided to protect the donkeys from the sun, wind, rain and snow. Rubber mats should be installed, and sawdust bedding or straw should be used. The entire stall area must be thoroughly cleaned at least once a day.
Turnout
Donkeys must have access to appropriate turnout space connected to their barn. It is preferable and often required that an adopter have a dry lot (a dry lot has no grass or only very limited, "scrappy" grass) immediately surrounding the shelter/barn that opens into a larger grassy field. The size of the dry lot and the pasture can vary but must be appropriate for the particular donkeys to be adopted. The donkeys' turnout space must be appropriate for the number and size of the donkeys. Donkeys cannot handle 24/7 access to rich pasture and will founder if their grass intake is not controlled. As desert animals, their needs are very different from horses.
Water
Adopters must provide clean water that will not freeze. Natural water sources such as creeks or ponds will not be approved.
Currently Owned Animals
Adopters must provide a veterinarian reference that will confirm a complete and current vaccination history for all of their animals as well as evidence of regular health care. We recommend that donkey not be kept with goats, sheep, cows, pigs or other livestock.
FAQs:
What is your adoption fee?
Our adoption fee is typically $600/per animal. Depending on the situation, we sometimes provide a small discount when an adopter wants to provide a home for more than one. Our animals are as up-to-date as possible on vaccines and farrier care. If an adopter cannot afford our adoption fee, it is possible that their financial situation is not secure enough to take on the responsibility for an animal whose medical needs can be unpredictable at times. Any potential adopter who wants to rescue but is uncomfortable with our adoption fees is encouraged to purchase animals directly from an auction, a kill lot or Craigslist where vulnerable animals can often be found. We are happy to provide information regarding how to go about doing that.
Why do you require an adoption fee since these are just rescues, and why is it so much?
First, we believe the value of our rescues to be priceless. We don't simply "rescue" animals from bad situations. While they are with us, we spend a lot of time with them. We earn their trust and we give them ours. We establish a relationship with them and genuinely love them. Because we do, we provide them with veterinary and farrier care along with all their regular daily needs such as feed, hay, stall bedding, dewormers, blankets when needed, and so on. For us, adoptions are always bittersweet because helping them learn to trust humans requires a heart investment on our part, and as happy as we are for them to end up in wonderful homes, we're always sad to see them go. Due to illnesses or horrible hoof conditions, some of them require extensive care, and all of that is expensive. Adoption fees don't begin to cover the expenses of a rescue organization. They help pay some bills. We go into a financial hole on most of the animals we take in and depend on donors to continue this work. All of us are volunteers. There are no salaries for anyone. The Farmette owns no property or vehicles -- all are privately owned and maintained with private funds. The only profit in our organization is for our wonderful animals whose lives are saved and whose futures are secured. Fortunately, this is not actually an often asked question because most adopters recognize the high costs involved in rescue.
Can I adopt just one donkey?
That depends. If you already have a donkey, you can adopt a single donkey who is not already bonded to another. Donkeys often like horses and enjoy the company of other animals but the vast majority are lonely and even sad without donkey company. For that reason, unless you already have at least one donkey, we adopt them out only in pairs or trios. We require adopters to agree that donkeys adopted from The Farmette will always have donkey company; should circumstances ever arise that an adopted donkey is living without another donkey, adopters are required either to obtain another companion donkey as soon as possible or to surrender their single donkey back to The Farmette.
Can I adopt a miniature donkey?
Sure. We often have miniature donkeys available for adoption. Did you know that just 1 single inch can separate a donkey classified as a "mini" from one who is a "small standard"? People are often surprised to meet small standards and learn that they really are little donkeys. If you are set on a "mini," please come and meet all the donkeys we have available. Any part of a small standard that is bigger than a mini is just that much more to love.
Can I adopt whichever donkey I choose?
That also depends. The Farmette NEVER separates bonded donkeys; they must be adopted together and an adopter must be genuinely interested in having a relationship with them both. We are very careful about finding the right match, and that always depends on a variety of factors including a donkey's age, sex and personality, as well as characteristics related to individual adopters, their properties and their other pets. You know your animals and we and our foster caregivers know ours. We do our best to work with potential adopters to put that information together and ensure that every adoption will be successful for all humans and animals involved.
Do your donkeys get along with goats, sheep, chickens, dogs, etc.?
Some of our donkeys have lived with other animals in the past. For some it went well but for others, it most definitely did not. Some donkeys see dogs as threats. Some very sweet donkeys will attack or even kill goats or sheep. We always recommend that donkeys always be kept separate from other animals and make no guarantee that any donkey will get along with any other animal.
Why don't you adopt out the donkeys who are "permanent Farmette residents"?
The donkeys whose permanent home is with us are here for a variety of reasons. Some require special hoof care. Others have been moved around a lot and deserve never to be uprooted again. Some have been here for so long that moving them elsewhere would be traumatic. Many of them are strongly connected to more than one donkey who lives here. These donkeys receive tons of human attention. For the most part, they are very people-oriented and serve as wonderful donkey ambassadors. People who are considering donkey adoption but who haven't spent significant time with donkeys come for a preliminary visit and often leave wanting to adopt a herd of donkeys rather than just a pair! We loving having a variety of sizes and colors and personalities, an ideal situation for introducing people to the wonderful world of donkeys. And, plain and simple, they are extremely loved. One hard part of rescue is having to say a lot of goodbyes to donkeys we have also grown to love. Adoptions are wonderful but, honestly, each one is bittersweet because in order to help donkeys learn to trust humans, you have to love them and give them a piece of your heart. That love makes every parting painful. It is helpful to all of us to be able to have permanent relationships with donkeys who will be with us forever.
My first priority is to adopt healthy donkeys. Do you have any?
We do not adopt out unhealthy animals. In fact, an animal that was rescued was not necessarily ever sick, injured or misbehaved. "Rescue" means that the animal came from a situation where needed care was lacking or the animal's life was in danger. Our adoptable animals have already been rescued. They are out of the horrible situation and their physical needs have been met. In most cases, they are friendly, easy to handle pets ready for their forever homes. Because of their past experiences that were never their fault, some are still shy or afraid so they may not lead perfectly or stand quietly for the vet. We always disclose any issues we know about to potential adopters and we very much see our adopters as part of our team, especially those who open their hearts to loving animals who need more time and repeated positive experiences before they are ready to trust humans.
What if an adoption doesn't work out?
When we approve an adoption, we commit to helping you do everything possible to ensure a good transition and a successful adoption. Sometimes it can take time for all humans and animals involved and we will stick with you through that process as long as needed. But, in the unlikely event that in the opinion of an adopter and/or The Farmette an adoption isn't "working out," the animal(s) must be returned to The Farmette.
What is your adoption process?
In order to meet animals available for adoption, your adoption application must first be completed and approved. Please select Forms from the webpage menu and complete an adoption application. We require references and a narrated video "tour" of your property, barn, stalls, fencing and current animals. Once approved, you will be invited to meet our available animals and we will work together to select the right match. We require an adoption fee as well as the completion of an adoption contract in order to ensure the long-term security of your adopted animals. Annually, your vet will need to complete an annual health care form and return it to us along with a current photo of your adopted animals. Our goal is to do everything possible to protect Farmette animals from ever being in any kind of need again.
Why do you have so many adoption requirements? Don't you want to find them homes?
Of course we want to find them homes -- but not just any homes. We want our animals to be in forever homes where they will be loved and appreciated for the rest of their lives. Many of our animals have been through horrific experiences and they deserve that security. In most cases, we do not know adopters until they apply. We don't know your properties, your animals, your perspectives on animal care, your level of commitment, or you. We owe it first to our animals as well as to those who support us financially to be thorough in our adoption review process. If you are approved for adoption, we are turning over to you not just a donkey but a life. We take that very seriously. Just because you know you are a good home, we don't yet. If you are unwilling to answer questions, provide a narrated video tour, schedule a farm visit, provide references, and follow up with us regularly for the life of your adopted animals, please don't apply. Organizations and individual people have many different opinions about caring for donkeys and horses, some of them better than others, but there is no one right way. That said, as a rescue, we do have specific requirements related to fencing, pastures, paddocks, shelters and animal care in general. If you prefer to work independently rather than collaborate with others, or if you are unwilling or unable to consider The Farmette's requirements, it would be better for you to buy donkeys directly from an auction or a kill lot and rescue them on your own without what will probably seem to you to be interference from us. We value our adopters and develop wonderful, long-term relationships with them and remain committed to helping them in any way that we can following an adoption. We are a team.