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Lusco Farms Donkey Rescue to The Great KC Pet Expo! 

NESTER, the donkey who started a movement in Malvern.

It all started with one forlorn little donkey!!

Lura and Scott Shehan “founders”, were just going to look at some horse tack. Things got sidetracked when Lura suggested they tour the animal sale barn. That’s when they spotted him. “He was skinny, scared and the kids were laughing at him,” recalls Scott. “That’s what got to Lura. She said ‘We are taking him home.’” And they did.

The little fellow they called Nestor (after the hero of a popular children’s book) was just the first. The Shehans began their rescue work in 2009, and became a non-profit in 2011. Today, with 150 donkeys and mules rescued, Lusco Farms Rescue in Malvern, Iowa, continues to work diligently to find forever homes for abandoned, neglected or abused equines.

“They are kind of like big dogs,” explains Lura. “They are very inquisitive and they want to be around human beings. They want attention and affection from their humans.” Just as with dogs and cats; overbreeding is the root cause of too many donkeys. That coupled with a tough economy several years ago, many sale barns were filled with unwanted horses, mules and donkeys.

The Shehans go through a thorough adoption process to make sure their charges end up in greener pastures. Potential adopters have to fill out a form; provide veterinary/farrier references, and provide adequate pasture and shelter for the animals. They also have to ensure that the donkey or mule has a “buddy.” They either need another equine on site, or they have to adopt two donkeys. As herd animals, donkeys need companionship just as much as they need food, water and shelter.

The Shehans (and a small core of committed volunteers) work hard to make sure the donkeys and mules are well tended. As co-founders of the Southwest Iowa Animal Coalition, the Shehans, work with other area rescues on events, such as feral cat spay and neuter programs. They’ve found there is strength in numbers, and the rescue groups work together to promote awareness and adoptions.

The work is hard. The donkeys must be handled regularly to learn to accept having their feet handled (regular hoof trimming is a must); pens must be cleaned; hay and water provided. Lura is up at 4:30 a.m. to do chores and then off to work her full time job; after a full day at work, Lura and Scott head home to care for the dozen plus donkeys currently at the rescue.

That number is ever-changing. Lura said they have a waiting list for people who want Lusco Farms to take donkeys. In a recent situation, they took back three donkeys from an adopter whose deteriorating health necessitated giving up her beloved pets.

And as for Nestor? He was eventually adopted out to a loving family. Scott remembers Lura’s fateful words the night they spotted the long-eared donkey. “She said, ‘His life gets better today.’” And it did. They still live that motto today. “Their life’s getting better starting today!”