What to consider before you get a donkey

It's very easy to buy the most adorable looking foal.

The number of unwanted and abandoned donkeys is so high, NZ has six re-homing centres, three in the North Island and three in the South Island. Pauline works closely with the Donkey & Mule Protection Trust of NZ.

Taking on a donkey, even if you are experienced with horses, requires a would-be owner to ask themselves:

• do I have the knowledge and skills necessary to keep it healthy and happy?

• am I willing to pay the cost of gelding (if it's male)?

• donkeys need to be with another donkey – do I want the long-term commitment and cost of maintenance for two animals?

• am I happy to commit to 30-40+ years of ownership?

It's straightforward to buy a donkey. They are often sold on Trade Me, and there are people breeding them by the dozen. They will happily sell you the most adorable-looking, cuddly, fuzzy little male foal at what may seem like a reasonable price (approximately $600). A jenny (female) costs more, $800-$1000, or more in the South Island.

These prices are for your average farm donkey. Miniature donkeys are much rarer, specially bred to conform to breed standards, and sell for a lot more.

Gelding a jack while it's still a foal is crucial, as the older it gets, the riskier the operation. It costs approximately $450$600 dollars, depending on where you live, your access to equine vets, and the donkey's weight.

Gelding is a necessity if you want to keep your donkey as a pet, says Pauline, taking the ‘true' cost of a jack much higher than it first appears.

An ungelded donkey is equivalent to owning a stallion. A well-trained jack, correctly handled, can be very wellbehaved and quite affectionate. However, it's not an animal for an inexperienced person with no equine skills. You need to have a great deal of knowledge and experience handling them if you are to stay safe.

An adult jack can weigh up to 400kg. A well-aimed boot from his hind legs can cause serious injuries. He may also bite, lash out with his front feet, or place you (or others) in dangerous situations if he has not been schooled correctly.

Pauline tries hard to rehome the donkeys she rescues. She has help from fellow donkey rescuers Alan and Wendy Baguley, from Whakatane, and friend Debbie Flemming.

“I don't think people realise just how long they live for, and with many people going onto lifestyle blocks in their 60s, they haven't thought it through.”

Pauline has a waiting list of people wanting donkeys.

“I just don't have any donkeys suitable for inexperienced people, and donkeys like Hudson and Tito would have to go to experienced people.”

Pauline's rescues are not free to good homes. She has a standard charge of $200.

“This just goes towards costs. I pick up and deliver and rely on owners to give a donation.”

Anyone wanting one of her donkeys is carefully vetted.

“I like to visit the property and ask a lot of questions. Is there shelter for the donkey (donkey's coats are not waterproof, and they are prone to pneumonia), are there dogs, children, what are their fences like, pasture, avocado trees (which are poisonous). I ask some very serious questions.

“If I think it's going to work, I try to match the donkeys to the people, and 99 percent of the time it works.”