Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary

02/13/2025

This sweet 13-year-old mule recently received life-changing dental care. Rescued in January, Ginger arrived suffering from severe mouth pain. Our vets discovered a large ulcer caused by overgrown teeth, a common issue for equines. Without proper dental care, this can lead to immense pain, weight loss, and other health complications.Ginger received a much-needed dental float from Coast to Coast Equine - Dr. Natalie, and Dr. Juan. She was a brave trooper! The cost of this essential care was $400.Ginger is now pain-free and thriving. She’s integrated beautifully into our donkey drove, forming a friendship with Ruby, our other mule. She is learning what it feels like to be loved and have her name said with kind affection. This beautiful mule, who was headed to euthanasia, is shining her bright light and bringing joy to all who meet her. Ginger’s story highlights the importance of proper dental care for equines. Your support allows us to provide this essential care to our rescued animals.Did You Know?* Equine teeth continuously grow.* Regular dental checkups and floats are crucial.* Neglecting dental care can lead to serious health issues.All donations, big and small, make a big impact! Every dollar helps provide vital care to animals like Ginger. Donate Here! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZSMUTU6Z3NZNS

02/11/2025

❤️Hearts were warmed, smiles were shared, and the gentle presence of our donkeys made the day truly special. Everyone loved meeting these sweet souls, enjoying a delicious donated lunch from Petra SLO , sipping delightful wines courtesy of Alta Colina Winery and indulging in yummy donated donkey cookies from Arroyo Grande Bakery.⭐️Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants, we raised crucial funds to care for our current rescues and welcome future donkeys and mules in need. 💕From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making this day so beautiful! These workshops are vital to our mission of providing a loving home for these incredible animals. 🎨Special thanks to Raul Euligio, .o_art for leading this special workshop. 😍Join us for our next heartwarming event in April: Scratch Art with local artist Karen Peterson!https://www.karenpetersonart.com/⬇️Register Today!https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/april-bb-scratch-art-karen-peterson #

01/30/2025

🧡 Meet Ginger 🧡 This sweet 16-year-old girl recently arrived at Rancho B***o Donkey Sanctuary under grim circumstances. Her owner, unable to care for her any longer, was considering euthanasia. Thankfully, we were able to step in and offer Ginger a safe haven and lifetime home.Now, Ginger is getting settled in with our 11 resident donkeys and our other draft mule, Ruby. She loves the attention from our caring staff, something that she never really received and is slowly starting to make friends with the donkeys – after all, she is half donkey herself!But we need your help to give Ginger the life she deserves. Every new arrival at Rancho B***o requires a thorough veterinary check-up, including bloodwork, hoof care, and dental exams, which depending on the health of the animal can cost as much as $3000 initially. Your generous donation will help cover these expenses and provide Ginger with ongoing nutritious food, essential medical care, and a loving forever home at Rancho B***o. Every contribution, big or small, makes a world of difference to Ginger and all the animals in our care. 🧡Please, donate today and help us show Ginger that her future is filled with love and happiness. https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/ginger

01/27/2025

❤️
Join us for a heartwarming Valentine's Day - Brushstrokes & B***os Painting Workshop with talented local artist Raul Eulogio.
🎨
Enjoy a beautiful day spent creating your own masterpiece inspired by our donkey residents. Our new 46-acre sanctuary in SLO provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience.
Connect with nature, unleash your inner artist, and make some furry new friends!
🫏
This is the first event of 2025 at our new sanctuary, and we can't wait to share it with you.
It's the perfect opportunity to celebrate love, creativity, and the magic of donkeys. ✨
Spaces are limited, so reserve your easel today and join us for a day filled with joy, laughter, and donkey love!
💗
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/february-valentines-day-bb

01/06/2025

🫏🏡❤️







https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/

01/02/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at Rancho B***o Donkey Sanctuary!

Jim and I are grateful every day for the support of all our team that keeps everything working and our donkeys happy and healthy.

This year has been one of nearly unbearable loss as we said good bye to four beloved donkeys: Teddy, Chile, Henry and our very special needs girl Polly.

These deaths have not been from old age, but from internal damage done before they came to Rancho B***o. These particular donkeys had been fed to obesity, or starved, abandoned, and not been cared for in years, literally 17 years in Henry's case. These are things that do damage internally and at some point can bring about a premature death. We hold dear the years we had with each of these precious donkeys.

We are so grateful for all of you who donate to our donkey's care.
Medical care is crucial to help these beautiful animals and it is constant and costly.

We could not do this without your donations.

We are about to move the donkeys to our new barn and we are celebrating that they will have soft floored stalls and pastures to run as they are meant to. We have a designated medical treatment room which is a large, clean and accessible space for both us and our veterinarians for daily and emergency care.

This has been accomplished with your ongoing financial help and we are celebrating your love and generosity today.

This new year is the beginning of
our new, expanded Rancho B***o Sanctuary.

Thank you, everyone, for your visits and interest in learning about the plight of burros in this country. We are very grateful.

Through our website you can apply to volunteer, and also book educational tours.

https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/how-you-can-help

We always welcome questions about donkeys and their care.

Wishing you all the best Rancho B***o Donkey Sanctuaryth peace, health and open hearts to accept all the good in life.

Sincerely, Carlen and Jim Eckford,
Founders, Rancho B***o Donkey Sanctuary

12/26/2024

🫏
We’re celebrating a year of sharing the love and goodness of our rescued donkeys with you all.
To celebrate, we’re launching a fundraiser to raise $1000 to help provide essential care for our furry friends.

Every dollar goes towards:

•Veterinary care: Ensuring our donkeys receive the best possible medical attention.
•Quality feed and hay: Providing nutritious meals for happy and healthy donkeys.
•Shelter and enrichment: Maintaining safe and comfortable living spaces with plenty of opportunities for play and exploration.
❤️
Join us in making a difference in the lives of these amazing animals!

12/01/2024

•

🎁
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for a donkey lover?
🫏
Check out these adorable handmade mini donkey toys from our gift shop! They’re not just cute and cuddly, they also support a wonderful cause.
🥹
One of our amazing supporters shared this heartwarming message:

“If I can’t own a live donkey, or two, in my condo in the city, then at least every time I look at this one I’ll know I help support Rancho B***os rescue efforts and that there are so many more donkeys getting properly rescued and cared for...”
Here’s why these donkey toys are extra special:
* Handmade with love: They’re crafted by our friends, an indigenous family from Mexico, who are preserving their beautiful traditions.
* Sustainable and unique: Made from wool from their own sheep, each donkey is one-of-a-kind.
* Support two causes: Your purchase helps Rancho B***o provide a lifetime of love and care to rescued donkeys AND supports the talented artisans who create these treasures.
❤️
Ready to give a gift that gives back?
Visit our virtual gift shop to shop and find the perfect donkey merch for everyone on your list!
https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/gift-shop/ols/products?page=3
•

11/11/2024

💔We have just said goodbye to our sweetest angel donkey, little Polly. Polly came here with neurological issues, horribly deformed hooves; she was half blind, she had skin that would just shred with too much pressure, as it was so delicate. Lameness issues would arise and our vets and farriers were always called upon to improve and insure her comfort.She was a precious package of love to be handled with special loving care every day.Our hearts are so heavy with grief at the loss of this amazing little girl, but her little body simply chose to stop fighting every day to heal, to walk, to deal with pain and whatever issues came up for her. And there were a lot. Throughout Polly's life here, this fragile appearing sweetie let us know that we could not hold her back from anything. She was going where her friends went. She was running when the other donkeys ran. She was going to hang out with everyone else and endearingly, she followed us around all the time insisting upon our lives and attention and our love. She would complain loudly when we would leave her. Loving her was the easiest part.She was a remarkable donkey, both with her resilience and her determination to give as much love as she demanded. She was not shy about wanting to be near people. Visitors were warned: she was famous for pushing her head between your legs and if you weren't careful, she would lift you and take you for a ride.I cannot even describe the joy, the love, and the expression of pure will to live every day at its fullest, that Polly showed to us. She was a lesson in how to live our lives. Suddenly, with a new lameness issue and her fetlock weak, Polly just decided to lay down. She tried to get up when we asked, but she was too weak. She knew. Her body said she had enough and she was letting go.Her eyes said everything. The sparkle was gone.What she needed from us now was love, yes, but the truly selfless love that understands when an animal wants assistance to leave this world of ours peacefully, without pain, but instead with sweet kisses, hugs and "I love you's" We will all see Polly again. She will come to us in her own way. She will not leave us alone. Not Polly! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🫏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I have talked about the many health issues that Polly had.There is always the question of "quality of life".It is incumbent upon veterinarians to have this discussion with you when you have animals with problems. It is absolutely imperative that you are honest with yourself. Please, always listen with an open mind. It can be possible to be in denial about whether youare allowing your animal to suffer as opposed to the thought of losing them.I can assure you that we always considered Polly's quality of life.With all of the challenges she has faced, we have been able to help her with solutions. Her happiness and health has always been our priority. This is the priority for every donkey in our care.Our medical expenses are high for this reason. All donkeys have regular blood chemistry panels, vet checkups, X-rays always when needed, along with all other regularly scheduled health maintenance, ie., dentals, hooves, immunizations, any testing, etc. Any donkey who needs meds per test results is on meds.We do all we are capable of to insure that each and every donkey is healthy, and happy.It is obvious to us when there is a quality of life question as we are intimately involved with our donkeys and individual donkey care every day. Happiness and comfort are of primary importance.Unfortunately, most donkeys we rescue have had pre-existing conditions which have already done permanent damage internally and/or externally. And this can lead to an earlier end of life than would be natural for a totally healthy animal.Our goal is to educate current and prospective donkey owners as to the proper care of donkeys.It is the lack of education and failure to give proper care that results in so much damage done to these very special animals. We will be moved to our new sanctuary location before the end of the year. We will be offering classes on all aspects of donkey care.❤️Love Your Animals. ❤️Carlen Donate to our legacy fund to help future donkeys in need. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CGM2Y2D8AGZZL

10/10/2024

🎈Happy Birthday to our EPIC Volunteer, Amy Blasco!
We love and appreciate YOU!🫶🏻

Amy’s Post:
👇🏼
Hello, friends! To celebrate my big 4-0, I’m doing a fundraiser for .burro.donkey.sanctuary . I started volunteering for this amazing organization about 2.5 years ago and it has been a life-changing experience. 🫏❤️🫏❤️🫏
As some of you know, our attempts to have a baby through IVF weren’t successful, and volunteering at Rancho B***o helped me process my grief and reconnect with my body. Helping to heal abused and neglected donkeys has helped me heal, too. They are such smart, sweet, sassy animals, but they’re greatly misunderstood and mistreated.
At Rancho B***o, we give donkeys across California and beyond forever homes and the loving care they deserve. Please consider making a donation to help us in our mission! Click the link below for all the ways you can help make a difference in our donkeys’ lives.
https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/how-you-can-help
I’d LOVE it if I could get 40 people to donate for my 40 years on our planet. Any amount is welcome! ❤️

10/09/2024

•

🎨
Our October “Brushstrokes & B***os” painting workshop was a smashing success!
Huge thanks to every wonderful attendee and our amazing volunteers who made the afternoon so delightful. These workshops are all about having fun, supporting local businesses, sharing the goodness of donkeys with the SLO community, AND raising vital funds to keep our sanctuary running smoothly.
❤️
We loved spending time with you all, meeting the donkeys, sharing their stories, and introducing you to our dedicated team.
💥
A special shout-out to our generous event donors who made the day extra special:
🖌️ Melisa from Woollybear Travels travels for donating her time to lead the workshop
🍷 Baileyana Winery for the delicious wines
🌮 Corazon Cafe SLO for the yummy lunch
🧁Miss Credibles' Edibles for those adorable donkey cupcakes!
🎃
Get ready for November’s “Brushstrokes & B***os”! This time, we’re getting creative and painting gourd birdhouses! Our talented volunteer, Nancy DeRuchie, will be leading the workshop. All supplies provided!
👇🏼
Reserve your gourd today!
Click here! https://ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/brushstrokes-%26-burros

10/05/2024

🧁
Thank you Miss Credibles' Edibles for the wonderful cupcake donation for our October - Brushstrokes & B***os • Painting Workshop!
🎨
Paint with a Purpose and reserve your spot today!
⬇️
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/81834cea-c306-44ad-99d1-aa01632ee21c
🫏

Aren't these donkey cupcakes ADORABLE?!

10/01/2024

💔
A message from Rancho B***o Founder, Carlen Eckford.

There are heartbreaks in life that are devastating and I don’t feel that I need to share with everyone. But because our donkeys are loved and supported by the generosity of so many good people, I have a responsibility to let you know that on September 18, we had to say goodbye to our beautiful Henry.

Henry and Gracie have been with us since 2017 when we rescued them from a place where they had literally no care for 17 years. This means no regular feeding, no hoof care at all, no dental care. Their hooves were like skis and did not resemble anything like a hoof. Their teeth had overgrown into sharp points that had created huge ulcers in their mouths.
They were so vulnerable on 40 acres with no food except that which was growing next to a creek. All they had was each other and they stuck very close together, vulnerable and open prey to any predators traveling through.

I don’t know how they made it there for 17 years before we were able to bring them to Rancho B***o.

They were shy and standoffish when they arrived, but, in time, learned that they were being cared for and loved and that no harm would come to them.

They were an incredibly special couple whose heads were always together, so sweet, and so ferociously dedicated to each other.

During the week of Sept 12, Henry seemed to be suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, and the temperature at our barn was in the 100’s.

We wett down his body, gave him syringes of water and brought his fever down. He began eating, again. However, the next day, he repeated the same symptoms.
We called our vet and decided to hospitalize Henry to give him fluids and support with IV. Gracie, of course, accompanied him.

However, Henry was not thriving.
Henry had been in the hospital, undergoing tests and being given the best support. However, his abdomen was gradually filling with more fluid and the cytology report came back showing the fluid contained cancer cells.
Our beloved vet, Erin Byrne, at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center did everything possible to support Henry, but once the cytology report came back, we realized there was no hope for our beloved Henry and we brought Henry and Gracie home so they could enjoy some time alone together, graze in their pasture and be with their family.

All of us here at Rancho B***o spent our private time with Henry, telling him how much we loved him and assured him that we would take good care of Gracie.
We had only one last day with him.

Gracie and Henry were never apart. Gracie took care of him their whole lives and always was there to protect him.

It was clear to Gracie that Henry would be leaving her. Animals are so acutely aware, and as we led him away, she did not follow. She understood completely and as his last breath left his body, from the far side of the yard, she let out a huge wail.

Henry and Gracie had such a horrible life before we got them, he didn’t deserve for his life to end this way.

After:
I have never seen an animal look so painfully sad as Gracie, in her eyes and her whole body posture. She went to their room and stood in the middle, completely lost.

I encouraged her to come to the front area where I was preparing the stall by the feed room to be her new room. Her eyes were so sad and just lost, and she looked like she was about to collapse.

I brought her into the room and gave her hugs and food and warm water and told her she will never be alone. She is so beautiful and so delicate right now. Her whole purpose has been taking care of Henry.
💔
I feel her emptiness and confusion as to how to even function without Henry by her side.

We are all devastated to lose him. The pain is raw and palpable.

It is now going on two weeks since we have lost Henry. We are keeping Gracie busy. Her stall is between Pollys and the feed room, and she is never alone.
Our sweet Romeo, who stepped in as Polly’s protector when we lost her partner, Teddy, has also stepped in to comfort Gracie as well.

I think she is adjusting, as we all give her so much affection, which is something she did not seem to need much of when she had Henry. Now she is looking to us for love and treats, of course, but it’s a good thing.

Of course, she has her moments when she wanders off to be alone with her thoughts and memories and mourn in her own way.
Don’t we all…..

We miss Henry so much. Losing these beautiful loves never gets easier and always tears our hearts to shreds. They are our family, after all, and so deeply loved.
🩵

09/27/2024

Romeo, an 8-year-old standard size donkey, arrived at Rancho B***o Donkey Sanctuary in August 2022, traumatized and alone. His companion had been tragically killed, leaving him circling back to the scene, heartbroken.We gently coaxed Romeo to safety, recognizing his need to grieve. He was ungelded, covered in lacerations, and understandably wary.After gelding and months of care, Romeo began to heal. He formed a close bond with Teddy and Polly. When Teddy’s health declined in March 2024, Romeo’s intuitive nature shone through - sensing Teddy’s struggle before anyone else.After Teddy’s passing, Romeo became Polly’s, our partially blind, neurologically and hoof challenged 34 year old donkeys devoted guardian, comforting her through her loss and caring for her.Integrating with the other donkeys took time, especially with young Norton. Their playful sparring matches lasted almost two years before they finally became friends and can even be found napping around donkey Hill together and playing.As Polly healed, Romeo extended his care to Henry and Gracie. Again, his intuition proved remarkable. He sensed Henry’s illness during the recent heatwave, offering companionship and support.He’s become our gentle protector, stepping up to comfort Polly and Gracie through their losses. We’ve even realized Romeo senses when another donkey isn’t feeling well, long before we do and our team feels his watchful eye and gentle spirit.Romeo has found his purpose at Rancho B***o. He’s not only a guardian to Polly and Gracie but also a beloved member of the herd, playing with Bobo and checking in on everyone, even our team!⭐️His journey reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope for healing and purpose.🫏Running a donkey sanctuary is incredibly rewarding but challenging. Your support helps us provide critical funds which provides lifetime care to these amazing animals. Please consider becoming a Rancho B***o Sidekick - a monthly sponsor who helps us give forever homes to these deserving souls. ⬇️Link in our bio.•