Fabio Charlie

Fabio came into Save the Brays Rescue several months ago. Here he is pictured before he was surrendered, signed over by the owner to the authorities.

Fabio had extremely overgrown hooves when he was checked into rescue. Pictured is the hoof cut off with a Sawzall.

Kym Garvey and Woody are pictured right after he was taken off the trailer at Save the Brays Donkey Rescue. His halter had to be cut off and his hooves were in terrible condition.

Woody, with overgrown hooves, was surrendered to Save the Brays. Donkey hoof care is different than horses.

Before someone can adopt, they go through a screening process to ensure a good match and a safe home. Donkeys can live up to 40 years, so it really is a forever home.

Garvey left her previous job as a veterinary technician about two years ago to care for the animals full time. Save the Brays has no paid staff; all of the work is done by volunteers. About 10 people volunteer regularly in addition to Garvey, and she is always looking for more support.

Volunteers help with cleaning up after the donkeys, socializing with them and assisting with occasional events. Part of the reason Garvey moved the brays from Barnum to Milaca was to be in a more populated area for volunteer recruitment.

In addition to caring for and rehoming the donkeys, Garvey also works to educate the public and current donkey owners.

“Our main goal is to educate people on the proper way to take care of them,” she said. “I get lots of local people that will contact me, and I’ll go out to their property at no charge and try and help them work with their donkey, or talk to them on the phone and try and give them pointers of different things they can do, so they can keep their animal and have a good relationship with them.”

Garvey has two of her own mammoth donkeys that are not associated with the rescue.

To learn more about Save the Brays Donkey Rescue, visit savethebrays.org or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. D