Oregon Donkey Sanctuary

08/23/2026

08/04/2026

Ever wonder where "20 mule team" actually comes from? In the 1880s, teams of 18 mules plus a couple of horses hauled borax out of Death Valley, 165 miles to the nearest railroad, in wagons built to carry ten tons of ore each. The round trip took about 20 days through some of the harshest terrain in the country.

Borax itself was in everything back then: soap, laundry detergent, glass and ceramic glazes, even as a food preservative before that practice got phased out. It was one of the few profitable minerals to come out of Death Valley, which is exactly why anyone bothered hauling it that far.

The animals doing that work never get much credit beyond the marketing. Real mules (and donkeys, their close cousins) are strong, sure footed, and far smarter than the "stubborn" reputation suggests. They had to be, given what that job demanded.

Next time you see that logo, you're looking at actual working history, not just branding. 🐴

07/31/2026

TGIF! Smiles this big can only mean one thing...it's the weekend! ☀🫏

Erwin's goofy grin? It's actually something pretty amazing!

Donkeys are naturally thoughtful and observant. Rather than reacting immediately, they often pause to assess a situation, using their keen senses to gather information before deciding how to respond.

What you're seeing is called the Flehmen response, and it's just one example of how donkeys carefully investigate the world around them.

By curling back their upper lip and exposing their front teeth, they direct scents toward a special sensory organ in the roof of their mouth called the vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ. This helps them analyze new and interesting smells to gather information about their surroundings.

So, although it may look like a goofy grin, it's actually a fascinating behavior that reveals just how incredible a donkey's senses truly are. ❤

🐴

07/25/2026

On July 18, we said goodbye to our beloved 32-year-old Vincent.

When Vincent arrived at Oregon Donkey Sanctuary in 2022, he was a tiny, scruffy miniature donkey with a big personality and an even bigger heart. The only rosy-red donkey in the herd, he stood out in more ways than one. He was expressive, feisty, endlessly charming, and always eager for a scratch, a snack, or the company of his favorite people.

Before coming to ODS, Vincent had spent much of his life alongside a man who struggled with homelessness and, later, dementia. It was clear that Vincent had never lacked for love - only the resources and care his owner could no longer provide. We were honored to become part of the next chapter of his story.

At 28 years old, Vincent became what is believed to be the oldest donkey ever castrated at Oregon State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The procedure allowed him to settle happily into life with other donkeys, revealing the affectionate little guy who had been there all along.

He quickly found his place at the sanctuary, becoming good friends with big Erwin and making mini-Mike his constant companion.

For the past several years, Vincent lived with chronic kidney disease. This year brought several health setbacks and recoveries, but each time he reminded us he wasn't finished enjoying life just yet. On his final day, he made his way to the front pasture to spend time with Mike and Erwin before quietly letting us know he was growing tired.

When Vincent developed congestive heart failure, we gave him the peaceful goodbye he deserved. Surrounded by the people who loved him, with gentle music, soft hands, and grateful hearts, Vincent was released with dignity and love.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Posey and the team at Pacific Crest Equine Veterinary Services for the exceptional care they gave Vincent. Her compassion, countless visits, and unwavering dedication gave him every opportunity for more good days.

Vincent's story is one of resilience, second chances, friendship, and unconditional love. We miss you, sweet Vincent. Thank you for letting us be part of your story. You will always be loved. ❤️

07/22/2026

🌞 Are you or your organization hosting an end-of-summer BBQ or tackling a cleanup project? We’ll take those bottles and cans off your hands!

By participating in the BottleDrop Give program, you can turn your recyclables into support for the donkeys.

It’s easy to help:

♻️ Collect your redeemable glass, plastic, and aluminum containers.
💙 Fill one of our BottleDrop Give Blue Bags and return it to any participating BottleDrop location.
Don’t have transportation? We will pick up!

Don’t have a Blue Bag?
No problem! If you have a Green Bag account, simply select our organization under the Donate tab.

Every bottle and can you donate helps provide feed, shelter, veterinary care, and everything our donkeys need to thrive year-round.

Want to get started? Contact us today at [email protected] to request your BottleDrop Give Blue Bags!

Thank you for helping us turn recycling into care for the herd! 🫏💙

07/10/2026

Just a little photo dump from life at Oregon Donkey Sanctuary. ☀️

Lazy afternoons. Warm sunshine. Sweet faces. Playful antics. Long naps. A little mischief. Plenty of scratches. And more than a few reminders to slow down and enjoy the simple things.

This is what the good life looks like around here - and we're so happy to share it with you. 🫏

07/07/2026

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07/01/2026

🌾It was all hands on deck for our annual Hay Bucking Day!🌾

From stacking bales to sharing laughs, our incredible volunteers came together for our beloved herd. There is something pretty special about a community rolling up their sleeves for the donkeys we all love.

A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in! Your hard work, teamwork, and willingness to tackle 286 bales of hay made a big job feel a whole lot lighter.

The donkeys may not know how much goes into keeping their "hay buffet" stocked, but they'll definitely enjoy the fruits (or should we say "flakes") of your labor! 🫏❤

06/26/2026

Another amazing presentation for this years Donkey Welfare Symposium!

Happy Friday! Our next speaker on the agenda, in no particular order, is Dr. Cynthia Xue DVM DACVIM, an Assistant Professor of Equine Internal Medicine at the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, Virgin Islands, which may see more donkeys than any veterinary school in the western hemisphere. Because she is such an engaging, energetic speaker we are bringing Cindy back to speak at this year’s 14th Donkey Welfare Symposium. Because she is so knowledgeable we always give her the hardest topics to present. This year it will be the absolutely crucial and complex link between insulin and laminitis, a topic that is critical for both veterinarians and donkey owners to understand. For the first time in literally centuries, science has started to open the mysteries of laminitis thanks to a number of discoveries in metabolism and the endocrinology of insulin. If anyone can help us make the connection, it is Cindy Xue, a very popular professor at her university and winner of the 2023 Zoetis distinguished Veterinary Teacher award. To follow along with this year’s theme of critical health problems, Cindy will also be speaking on First Aid for Hyperlipemia. What a donkey owner or a field veterinarian can do to prevent the damage caused by this metabolic syndrome that is the most common cause of death in donkeys in the global north. Veterinarians see hyperlipemia treatment questions constantly in message boards and in consultations. Dr. Cindy Xue will clear away all the misinformation and confusion for us, and maybe help you save your donkey’s life.

Don't forget to register for the DWS (October 2-4) at: https://iawti.vetmed.ucdavis.edu

See you there!