• Return to the Trust

Ikaora Rehoming Centre covers the bottom half of the North Island from Lake Taupo southwards. The Centre was set up three years ago by Andrea Thomson and Nancy Neal. It is recognised and affiliated to the Donkey and Mule Protection Trust N.Z. Nancy and Andrea found that in many cases donkeys have to be bought to get them out of a bad situation, and if the donkey is able to be rehabilitated successfully it can be safely sold to a vetted and approved home to cover some of the costs of rescue and rehabilitation. Rehomed donkeys are sold on the proviso that the Rehoming Centre is involved should the donkey be rehomed again.

Nancy and Andrea found that they could not keep buying donkeys to rescue them, without recouping some of the costs. If a donkey is rescued that is fragile either because it is old, has physical or psychological needs then it will be put into the Donkey and Mule Protection Trust which can provide that lifetime care. The Rehoming Centre does not have its own land or special facilities. Nancy and Andrea run the rehoming centre donkeys in with their own stock.

The first Ikaroa Rehoming Centre donkey was a rescued bull donkey jack Peppermint of Ikaroa who is still with Nancy as he was so traumatized by bad treatment that he is still not suitable to rehome. Nancy has spent many hours gaining his confidence but even now he is temperamentally fragile. The latest rescue Russian Fudge of Ikaroa is a charming, sweet 10 hh Ponui type donkey who was a 4 year old jack running with his father, mother and sister. He had not been handled and his feet had never been done. He is now gelded and is coming along well in his leading lessons and having his feet picked up and trimmed. Fudge will make a lovely donkey for someone as he has such a sweet nature and is willing to please.