Rescued donkeys arriving at RTF’s Lompoc, Calif., headquarters sanctuary.
Return to Freedom is thrilled to welcome five new rescued donkeys to a lifetime of sanctuary.
After being rescued by our friends at All Seated in A Barn from the notorious Bowie Auction in Texas, the donkeys escaped the slaughter pipeline and avoided a nearly 20-hour drive to a certain death in Mexican slaughterhouses. Today, we have five beautiful donkeys resting in their paddock with access to shade, fresh drinking water, and plenty of hay.
Once quarantine is completed, the donkeys will find a lifetime of sanctuary in the Oak Forest at our flagship ranch in Santa Barbara County.
RTF received four Jacks and one Jenny. We are excited to introduce them to our wonderful community of supporters and secure their deserved sponsorships:
Mama Jo
Mama Jo was rescued with her yearling baby at her side. Found to have pneumonia, they were both treated at a vet hospital in Texas where one of the vet techs fell in love with the baby and adopted her. Mama Jo is still learning to trust people again after everything she has been through. She’s doing beautifully at Return to Freedom but currently does not have a sponsor. Please help us care for Mama Jo, who has been through so much already.
Black Jack (Jeff)
Jeff was rescued as a male stud donkey who was very sick and covered in lice. It took multiple flea baths and a lot of time and care to get rid of the lice so he could start to heal and feel comfortable in his body again. He is a larger donkey with a quiet and strong presence and a very big heart. Jeff does not have a sponsor yet. Please sponsor Jeff as we continue to give him the care he needs.
Dalton
Dalton has a unique pinto coloring, zebra-like stripes on his legs, and a fluffy texture to his coat. He’s still very shy and scared of people but is settling in well at the sanctuary and he is starting to show signs of interest and curiosity when we are in his paddock visiting with him. Dalton needs a sponsor so he can continue to have the space and care to heal and relax into life and relationships at the sanctuary.
Jacob (Jake)
Jake is an adorable male donkey who is slowly learning to trust. Sometimes, when he sees people are coming too close, he feels safer slipping away into his own space. We want to help him continue to feel at ease when people are around, and we think he’s slowly starting to embrace the care and kind tone of our staff. Please sponsor Jake so he knows he’s not alone, and we can give him the care he needs and deserves.
Dunsky
Dunsky is an older and unique-looking donkey with a kind eye. He, too, is slowly warming up to people and likes to make all sorts of noises whenever we come over to visit or care for them in their quarantine paddock. He is older but very much vibrant, and we are excited for him to explore the Oak Forest in time. Please sponsor Dunsky to have the golden years all equines deserve, especially after going through so much.
Return to Freedom has rescued thousands of horses in our nearly 30-year history, and every time the trailer unloads new sanctuary residents, we are so grateful to all of you, our sponsors, for helping us make this happen. You are the reason we can continue to welcome new rescued animals.
Today, we proudly provide sanctuary for nearly 500 wild horses and burros!
Our work is transformational for the animals that call our sanctuary home, and we humbly ask that, even if it’s $5 or $50 a month, you please help sponsor these worthy donkeys so they can enjoy the rest of their lives as sanctuary residents forever.
All sponsors receive a digital certificate and a photo of their chosen donkey. Depending on sponsorship level, you will qualify for a complimentary visit, tour, or photo safari. A full $500 sponsor receives four complimentary tickets to either a sanctuary tour or a photo safari/herd immersion annually.