Longhopes Donkey Shelter

?? Colorado Gives Day is just around the corner, but you don’t have to wait to make a difference! ?? Early giving is now OPEN, and every dollar you give today will go straight to caring for our amazing donkeys here at Longhopes. Your donation helps provide food, shelter, medical care, and so much love to these gentle souls who deserve a second chance. ?? Don’t wait for December 10—join us now in making a life-changing impact! Donate today and help us give our donkeys the best care all winter long. ???? ?? Link to donate: https://lnkd.in/g6a_UEaW Thank you for your generosity and support! #ColoradoGives #LonghopesDonkeyShelter #EarlyGiving #GiveWhereYouLive #SupportRescue ??

?? Meet Highhopes – Our Little Bundle of Joy! ?? Say hello to Highhopes, one of the most spirited and joyful souls at Longhopes! This little charmer has brought so much light and energy to our sanctuary. With his playful antics and curiosity, Highhopes keeps everyone on their toes – donkeys and humans alike! You’ll often find him exploring every corner of the yard, befriending new donkeys, or simply brightening the day with his endless enthusiasm. Highhopes has truly lived up to his name here, reminding us every day of the hope and happiness that each rescued donkey brings. His journey with us is a testament to the resilience of donkeys and the second chance that each of them deserves. ???? Want to learn more about Highhopes and his daily adventures? Join our Monthly Sponsorship Guardian Program! With a monthly donation, you'll receive our exclusive newsletter with special updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a glimpse into Highhopes’ world – including his favorite snacks, his funniest moments, and all his little quirks. Sign up today at www.longhopes.org/donate. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing donkeys at risk of neglect, abuse, and death. Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions! Thank you for supporting Highhopes and all the wonderful donkeys at Longhopes. ??

Meet Betsy – Our Beloved Matriarch We’re sure you know this beauty! Betsy is the heart and soul of Longhopes, our wise matriarch who’s always ready with advice for any donkey (or human) who needs it. She’s a mother, a friend, and a grandma to everyone around her, and we feel so lucky to have her in our lives. Her back may be swayed from years of being forced to breed, a life she never chose. But here at Longhopes, Betsy has found her forever retirement home, where she can finally relax, knowing she’ll never be forced into breeding again. Want to learn more about Betsy and get an inside look into her daily life as our matriarch? Join our Monthly Sponsorship Guardian Program! With a monthly donation, you'll receive our exclusive newsletter, featuring highlights from the shelter, updates on Betsy’s journey, and a private glimpse into her life here at Longhopes. Discover her favorite treats, her wise moments with younger donkeys, and how she spreads her gentle love to everyone. Sign up today at www.longhopes.org/donate. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing donkeys at risk of neglect, abuse, and death. Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions! Thank you for supporting Betsy and all the donkeys at Longhopes.

Say hello to Gavin, one of our most endearing senior donkeys! At 43 (or is it 44… or 45?), Gavin is still as charming as ever. Despite his age, he’s a gentle, sweet soul who’s always excited to greet our visitors – especially if there's applesauce involved! Gavin has figured out that tour time means treat time, and while he’s never pushy, he makes sure he doesn’t miss his fair share.Our team goes above and beyond to keep him comfortable with gentle care. ?? And for those who want to dive deeper into Gavin's world, join our Monthly Sponsorship Guardian Program! With a monthly donation, you'll receive our exclusive newsletter, packed with highlights from the shelter and an insider look into Gavin’s daily adventures, favorite snacks, secret love interests, and his “age-defying” secrets. Yes, we’ll spill all the details – even how he manages to stay so healthy and young at heart! Sign up today at www.longhopes.org/donate. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing donkeys at risk of neglect, abuse, and death. Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions! Thank you for supporting Gavin and all the donkeys at Longhopes. ??

???? Donkey Dental Care Essentials ???? When was the last time your donkey had a proper dental check-up? If it’s been over 2-3 years, it’s time to get that vet on the phone! ?? Donkeys, like horses, need regular dental care. Their teeth keep erupting throughout their lives, which can lead to sharp edges and painful hooks if left unchecked. Due to their unique jaw structure, donkeys often develop these sharp points, which can cause discomfort and affect their ability to eat properly. ? A full dental exam with a speculum is a must!? Don’t let anyone tell you a quick look is enough—proper dental health requires the right tools and expertise. Properly maintained teeth mean better nutrition, prevention of choking, and early detection of any hidden issues. Let’s make sure our donkeys are happy, healthy, and brayful! ?? ?? As always, we rely on your support to provide this level of care to our residents here at Longhopes. Donate today using the link in our bio to help us continue giving our donkeys the best care possible! ????

Looking for a unique and rewarding team-building opportunity for your company? At Longhopes Donkey Shelter, we offer corporate volunteer days where your team can help with a variety of meaningful projects that support our mission. It's a fantastic way to give back, foster collaboration, and make a lasting impact on the lives of the donkeys in our care. For more information on how your team can get involved, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Together, we can make a difference!

Thank you all for your wonderful legging donations! ???? Our donkeys have alll the protection they need this summer. You can support our work at www.longhopes.org/donate

This is the reality of the work we do. Folks ask me if all of our donkeys are loving and affectionate and trust us. My answer is always the same, they all have the ability to do everything, but it’s all dependent on their trust. Take Lullabelle for example. She arrived to Longhopes earlier this year. Her previous owner LOVED her so much. Gave her an amazing home where Lullabelle felt safe. Due to life circumstances, her mom asked us to take her. We worked with her for two years until we actually had the room to bring Lullabelle in our program. Her mom was so patient and when the time came, she told Lullabelle that she was going to Longhopes and she was going to be taken care of with lots of love. (As much love as she received at home- we all hoped) When Lullabelle arrived she didn’t trust us. She was careful and tactical with her movements. She always thinks before she acts (all donkeys do this.) But we respected her and we talked to her through every new experience. I always remind Lullabelle how much her previous owner loves her and I tell her that I love her too and I promised her previous owner I would take care of her forever. I think Lullabelle understands me. Today was yet another new experience for Lullabelle. Even if she wore fly masks at her previous home, this is a new place, I am new to her, and it can be a scary experience. You can see how she is careful and unsure. But I take it slow and consistent. I tell her she is loved and she is safe. She listens. She doesn’t give up. I don’t give up. When I got the mask on her she was scared. You can see her walking away and putting her head down. (She can see through the mask) but it’s still scary. If you hear closely you can see I talk to her. I tell her to listen to my voice. I tell her she is safe. Everything is okay. Lullabelle listens intently. Then, her best friend Corona comes up to me first (she feels so safe and calm) and then gets close to Lullabelle to let her know she is safe. A simple task like a fly mask can be a big step. But we are kind, respectful, and do everything with love. We never force our animals, we listen, follow their lead, and reassure them. ***Continued in comments*** We have already created a strong trust bond with Lullabelle, but that doesn’t mean that she won’t push the boundaries from time to time. She is supposed to, she needs to reassure herself that those boundaries are firm. Thats when they feel safe. And those boundaries is our love for her. After the fly mask was on her, you can see I walk up and give her lots of love. Reassurance that she is safe and loved. Lullabelle was perfect. I know her previous owner used to talk to her. And so I do the same to hopefully remind her that her previous owner will always be part of her life somehow and that we are here to keep loving her and caring for her.

[7of100 ] Kathy Dean, founder of Longhopes Donkey Shelter is working to give unwanted donkeys, often destined for slaughter a rare second chance. ?? ?? Along with her husband Alan Miller, Kathy purchased a 20-acre piece of property in Bennett Colorado and has dedicated the space and built a facility for their rehabilitation and training. ?? It has been Kathy’s long-time mission to establish an equine shelter for the Rocky Mountain region. ???? longhopes.org https://lnkd.in/gzKiAdMa https://lnkd.in/guw2EU2n ___________________________ Nominate a woman who is making a difference. https://lnkd.in/gn4gCFF5 ? 6 is a purpose-driven agency dedicated to uplifting women and advancing initiatives that champion women's causes. Far too often, the remarkable achievements of women, especially those over 50, go unnoticed beyond our immediate circles. Our mission is to illuminate the outstanding contributions of women from all walks of life, honoring their professional and personal accomplishments across all ages and diverse fields. #100under100 #InspirationalWomen?#UnleashBrilliance?#BreakingAgeBarriers?#CelebrateWomen

Hi all, We are hiring https://lnkd.in/gCSamTTV We are looking for part time, weekends are required. Great job for any high schooler looking to make some extra money this summer! Previous large animal care experience strongly reccomended. Great positon for anyone wantint to go into the vet tech field (besides cleaning, we provide lots of medical care to geriatric donkeys). You can find info on the link provided. You must fill out an application and turn it in, in person. Application can be found in the link provided. Thank you!