Host Farms

Host farms

The Host Farm Network is a program through which we are able to make space at the main farm for new residents by placing donkeys in pairs at approved host farms.

About the Host Farm Network

Without Host Farms, we wouldn’t be able to rescue nearly as many donkeys as we have since we began the Host Farm Network in 1998. Currently we have more than 75 equid at our host farms, and we’re delighted with the individual attention and care the animals receive at their homes.

Within the Host Farm Network, rehabilitated donkeys (rehabilitated in terms of the effects of abuse/neglect they may have suffered in their previous lives) are placed usually in pairs on permanent loan, to suitable homes. The donkeys we choose to be placed at these host farm homes are those whom we believe will benefit from the more individual love and attention that a host farm can provide. Therefore, we’re diligent in the choice of home we make for the animals we place. As well, due to travel costs and the need for ongoing support, we generally only consider farms within a 250km radius of Guelph, Ontario.

Anyone who considers hosting one of these remarkable animals must understand that taking care of donkeys is both a rewarding and very serious responsibility. It requires diligent and consistent care and feeding, which is why every member of our host farm network signs an agreement which commits them to the Terms and Conditions of hosting DSC donkeys.

Before making your final decision to apply, we advise you do the following:

Discuss what you’re planning with your vet, and a farrier in your area to ensure you can engage their services. (As well, by contacting them you will have a better idea of the cost involved in caring for donkeys.)
Read the Host Farm FAQ
Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions

If you are interested in our joining our Host Farm Network please fill out our online application or you can download a printable version and either email or mail your application to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.

(If you don’t receive a response to your Host Farm application within 3 business days, please let us know at hostfarm@thedonkeysanctuary.ca We don’t want to miss your application and sometimes technology isn’t friendly!)

DSC Mailing Address: 6981 Concession 4 Puslinch, ON N0B 2J0

Host Farm Coordinator email address: hostfarm@thedonkeysanctuary.ca

Host Farm must-read information

The process

Thanks for your interest in the DSC Host Farm Network. When donkeys are hosted by loving homes, space becomes available at the Sanctuary Farm for other abused, neglected or unwanted donkeys.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the 10 Steps to Hosting Donkeys. This process has been developed in order to help us ensure a long, happy relationship with you, the donkeys and The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.

To begin, we ask you to be patient. Depending upon a number of factors, it can take over two months to interview applicants, inspect facilities, find just the right match, and, finally, to deliver the donkeys to the new host farm. The timing can also depend on the season in which you apply to the host farm network. The DSC prefers to not transport donkeys in the winter months due to unpredictable road conditions and weather. Placements close on November 15 and reopen on March 15. However, applications may still be submitted during this time.

Complete the Host Farm Application, or mail a completed Host Farm Application to the Sanctuary Farm.
Review information about the program including the FAQs and other helpful information on the site.
Qualified farms will be contacted to set up a phone interview.
Participate in the Qualifying Farm Inspection by DSC Barn Staff Member.
Make any modifications to your facilities that are necessary to accommodate the donkeys’ needs and meet the DSC standards of care.
Send photos of completed modifications or participate in a follow-up inspection (if necessary).
Arrange delivery date.
The following items will be delivered with your donkey(s): DSC Donkey Care Manual, Medical Records, DSC Host Farm Policies and Procedures, Blank Health Record Forms, Copies of Commitment Form, Medical Release and Photo Release Forms, Current DSC Host Farm Newsletter, Emergency and Non-Emergency Form, Tips for Settling in Your Donkey, Halter, Weight Tape, Grooming Kit, Stethoscope, and Thermometer.
Sign Commitment Form, Medical Release Form and Photo Release Form upon delivery.
Receive your donkey(s) and communicate with DSC staff to ensure a smooth transition.

Terms and conditions

Field and Stable Management

There must be at least one acre of grazing per donkey, preferably within sight of the house. There should be a shelter (minimum 200 square feet for two donkeys) and a permanent source of water in the area. Feeding recommendations and weight control guidelines laid down by The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC) must be followed. All poisonous plants including trees and plants in or around the paddock area must be removed. (E.g.: oak, black walnut and butternut trees, yews, tansy ragwort, poison hemlock, field horsetail, buttercup, oleander, bracken fern, St. John’s-Wort, Nightshade). All fencing and gates will be maintained to a high standard to ensure the safety and security of the donkey(s). Small animals that may be chased by donkeys should be kept out of their paddock. The Host Farm agrees to undertake the hard work of feeding, mucking out loafing areas, picking out donkey’s hooves regularly, and grooming, together with all aspects required to keep the donkey and the environment to the DSC standards.

Farrier and Veterinary Care

The donkey must have its hooves trimmed by a competent farrier. This is usually done every 8-10 weeks. De-worming must be done at least twice a year depending on circumstances and vaccinated annually against Rabies and Tetanus. If Equine Flu or West Nile Virus are found in your area, these vaccinations should be administered as well upon recommendation of your veterinarian. A veterinarian or farrier must be called if the donkey becomes ill in any way. Report non-routine treatment to the DSC’s Host Farm Coordinator. Record all farrier and veterinary treatment on the “Donkey Health Record” and make records available at each inspection. Sign waiver giving veterinarian permission to release donkey’s medical records to the DSC.

Costs

All costs to care for the donkey are assumed by the owner of the Host Farm. These will run into the hundreds of dollars per year. The average cost of care is approximately $2,000/year/donkey. If costs associated with unforeseen or emergency veterinary care becomes excessive and the host farm is in a position where it is difficult to cover these costs, please contact the DSC in an non-urgent manner (assuming this is not life threatening) and the DSC with arrange with the host farm a plan to help cover the costs of the emergency care.

Availability of Donkeys

The DSC cannot undertake to satisfy particular requirements with regard to the type of donkey wanted. Many of our donkeys are rescued and therefore their history and background may not be known. However, every effort will be made to match homes and donkeys. DSC donkeys will be placed as pets and will not be placed as guardians to flocks of sheep or herds of cattle or goats.

DSC donkeys may not be ridden

Also, DSC donkeys may not be used for commercial purposes or financial gain such as donkey rides, parties, etc.

No Breeding

No breeding is permitted with DSC donkeys. If a jennet is found to be in foal she will be returned to the DSC with her companion and the resulting foal will be the property of the DSC.

Placement

The DSC donkey can be placed on a Host Farm to be a companion to a donkey already in residence. Otherwise, donkeys are placed in pairs, or occasionally more. In the event of one of the pair of donkeys dying, the DSC, in consultation with the Host Farm owners, will reassess the situation. If the cause of the donkey’s death is unknown a post mortem may be performed and the results forwarded to the DSC. The decision and cost of the post mortem will be made and covered by the DSC.

Caregiver

The person responsible for the welfare of the donkey must be over 18 years old. This person must be a resident at the Host Farm on a full time basis. The whole family should be agreeable to having donkeys. The Host caregiver(s) agree to spend sufficient time with the donkey to help develop a bond and increase the sociability and well-being of the donkey.

Inspections

A DSC barn staff member will inspect the Host Farm and the donkey(s) on an annual basis. Whenever possible, appointments are made.

Removal

The DSC reserves the right to remove the donkey if it is found to be in ill health, mistreated, if any of the Terms and Conditions is broken or for any other reason.

Change of Circumstances

The DSC must be notified of all changes that may affect the donkey, e.g., addition or loss of other animals sharing the paddock/shelter, loss of facilities due to storm damage, etc. If the person responsible for the DSC donkey is going to be away for longer than a week, then the DSC should be notified and given the name of the substitute caretaker. The DSC must be notified of plans to move house, whether you wish to keep the donkey or not. New premises will be inspected and passed by the DSC in reasonable time. Changes to phone numbers and email addresses should be reported immediately.

Insurance & Liability

The Host Farm agrees to carry liability insurance during the time it hosts a Donkey Sanctuary of Canada donkey. The host farm indemnifies the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada against all claims arising out of any claim relating to the donkey in its possession under the Donkey Sanctuary Host Farm Network.

Ownership

Donkeys placed in the DSC Host Farm Network will remain the property of The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.

About the DSC

The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is a not-for-profit licensed charity. Our mission is to provide a lifelong home to donkeys, mules and hinnies that are unwanted, neglected or abused and we promote the responsible stewardship of all animals through humane education. We envision a world in which the dignity and worth of all creatures are recognized and respected.

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Host Farms application form

If you are in agreement with the Terms and Conditions of the DSC Host Farm Network, please complete the application form below.

When you click ‘submit’ the form will be sent to our offices, where it will be reviewed and considered very carefully.

Note: We may be extremely busy with applications. Please be patient, we’ll be in touch as soon as we can. Thank you for applying to become a Host Farm for The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.

Any questions? Please email hostfarm@thedonkeysanctuary.ca.

First name

Last name

Email address

Phone number

Address

City

Province

Country

Postal code

What is the size of the farm (in acres)?

What is the size of the paddock(s) you would be housing the donkey(s) in?

What is the condition of the paddock area (ie. dry lot/grass/treed etc)? Do you have access to a dry lot?:

What kind of fencing is used where the donkeys will be kept?:

What access would the donkeys have to shelter? Please describe (ie. size, south-facing, can it be enclosed, barn and/or run-in shed etc.)

What other animals are residing on the farm?:

Would any of them share space with the donkeys? If necessary (ie. quarantine, disagreement), do you have the capacity to house them separately?

disagreement), do you have the capacity to house them separately? Is someone living on the farm at all times?:

Is someone living on the farm at all times?:

What is the source of water available to the animals (trough, bucket, automatic waterer)?:

Where is the water located and how will the water be kept from freezing in the winter?:

Do you have a reliable source of hay? Straw? Please describe type (grass vs. legume, barley vs. wheat. oat).

Please describe your experience with equines, including any history with caring for those with special needs (ie. obesity, laminitis, cushings, etc.). Do you have any experience with donkeys specifically?

Who is your veterinarian and farrier?

Why do you want to become a Host Farm for donkeys?: