Longhopes Donkey Shelter

The Longhopes Donkey Shelter was incorporated January 2000 but began in 1998 when the founder, Kathy Dean, went looking for her own donkeys. She knew there were unwanted donkeys needing homes but she was unable to find them, because unwanted donkeys were usually sold for slaughter at local sale barns. Wanting to offer an alternative, Kathy learned that rescuing donkeys was impossible without a facility where the donkeys could be rehabilitated and trained until a new owner was found.

In August 1999 Kathy and her husband Alan Miller bought 20 acres in Bennett. That month Kathy took in Rocky, a 42 year old donkey whose owner could no longer keep him. By January 2000 Kathy had 9 donkeys. That was when Kathy decided to formalize her passion and create an equine shelter to serve donkeys in the Rocky Mountains.

In 2000 Longhopes became a Colorado non-profit corporation and 501(c) 3 tax-exempt charity 84-1538890

Our Mission:

Be the voice, hands and home for domestic and feral donkeys in the United States. Ensure that every donkey lives a healthy life and that the public respects the uniqueness of the species.

This will be accomplished through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, and retirement services for at risk donkeys while protecting the donkey’s unique behavior of bonding to another donkey. Longhopes will also provide a permanent safety net for the donkeys it serves.

Our Vision

Our Vision Is a World Where:

donkeys are recognized as companion animals.

donkey breeders take permanent responsibility for the lives they create.

donkeys cannot be abused for entertainment or profit.

the donkey’s instinctual bonding behavior to another donkey is respected and protected.

every donkey has a healthy existence regardless of its service as a working equine.

Our Values

Humanity, professionalism, honesty, accountability and respect for all animals in our care.