Fred and Rosie Pahrump Horses at the Oatman Burros Sanctuary Big Red Barn

08/26/2024

07/10/2024

Some days, being in rescue just plain sucks. Today, today is one of those days.

At 8:49 this morning, Jamie met his momma Angel at the rainbow bridge. She fought a strong fight with a disease that many do not win. We tried, she tried but God decided Jamie needed his momma and his momma needed him.

The entire Desert Pines team fought this fight with the best of their abilities and gave her 110%. Sometimes, the outcomes are just out of our hands.

Heaven got a beautiful Angel today. Please understand we are closing the sanctuary today so we can all just process this. We apologize for doing so But we need to grieve today.

Thank you to each and every one of you for all of your support with everything we do and every challenge we take on. They are NEVER “just a burro/donkey” to us.

Rest easy Angel! As Dr Glassberg said this morning, please ask Jamie “what the hell?”

07/01/2024

After speaking with neighbors, we can confidently post this knowing these two were dropped off by trailer at the sanctuary.

Right now, we understand that times are tough and caring for equine is quite expensive. We also know how hard it is for you to prepare for your Jenny to have a baby. It’s scary, it’s time consuming and it can task you. We understand.

We know that there are times when you cannot afford your burros anymore and know that there is a time when you have to choose family over animals. We understand.

These two girls were obviously very loved by their family. Their hooves had recently been done, they are very healthy, they were just recently bathed and groomed. We could smell the special shampoo you used on them. They thank you for that. We thank you for that.

We found them safely placed next to our trailer early Saturday morning. Both girls are easy to handle but a bit scared. They allowed us to halter them without issue and they walked with us. The pregnant one actually walked into her halter when I put it in front of her and waited for me to clasp it.

We don’t know their names but we named them Skye and Charolette. Skye is the pregnant one on the right facing them and Charolette is the one on the left. We want you to know they are safe. They will be taken care of. They will be loved.

Maureen started working with them early Sunday morning. Each of the volunteers who have worked with them will tell you in the comments so you can read it and know how they are doing. We know the decision you made was not an easy one.

We are in the process of working through the legality aspects with BLM and the brand inspector on these girls right now. As you all know, we work very close with BLM and they were contacted early this morning and we have come up with a game plan however, this process could be sped up and made easier if the owner of these girls would send us a PM or text/call me at 928-201-5926 to let us know you surrendered them.

Once all of this is completed, Skye, Charolette and baby will be available for adoption together once Skye delivers and the baby is 2 months old. They will be adopted on a contract basis that they must remain together. If you are interested in this family, you can fill out an adoption application. If you are an experienced burro owner with good references and a steady vet, they may be approved to come home to you prior to Skye delivering her baby. It will be on a case-by-case basis. We are going to be very picky with this burro family.

06/15/2024

If anyone in the path of the Rose Fire in Wickenburg Arizona need assistance evacuating your livestock, we have a 4 horse trailer and a stock trailer ready to go at any time. Simply call 928-201-5926

06/08/2024

We have a diagnosis for Angel. We know everyone wanted us to jump on the abuse bandwagon but sometimes, waiting for the tests and facts to come back is so much more important.

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF). It is a rare skin disease in donkeys that can be treated with immunosuppressive medications, such as corticosteroids. Prednisolone is considered one of the best corticosteroids to use, starting at a dose of 2–3 mg/kg for the first week, then gradually tapering down to the lowest effective dose that can be taken every other day. Other corticosteroids that can be used include oral triamcinolone or dexamethasone. If these don't work, or if adverse effects occur, you can try an alternative glucocorticosteroid or a nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drug.

This is going to be a life-long issue for Angel and is potentially passed genetically to Jamie. Because we do not adopt out medically fragile burros, they will become permanent wards of the sanctuary.

We have ordered a fly sheet, neck covers and a fly mask with leg covers for Angel and a mask for Jamie to start.

We are now facing the hurdle of getting her stable enough to come home from DPE. She has a long road ahead of her but we know she’s got this!

06/02/2024

We need some unquestioned prayers right now. We will give you information when we are mentally ready and have answers. Right now this momma is fighting the fight of her life and her babies. This is probably one of the hardest cases we have ever been dealt. I’ll tell you this one has taken a huge village. Thank God for our co-parts! Meet Angel and Jamie…

05/12/2024