What could be sweeter than a smooch from a donkey? At Peaceful Pastures Donkey Rescue’s third annual Donktoberfest, families are invited to enjoy plenty of face time with these delightful creatures while learning about what makes for a happy donkey life.
My, how just adding just two letters to a word can change a meaning. You’ve heard of Oktoberfest, but how about Donktoberfest? On October 5, Peaceful Pastures Donkey Rescue in Lincoln, Missouri, will hold its third annual event of this kind.
Beth Hakala, Executive Director at Peaceful Pastures Donkey Rescue, said the event came about to raise awareness about just how delightful a donkey can be and raise money to get the 300 animals—296 donkeys, two mules, one hinny, and one dwarf horse—currently living on the farm through the winter comfortably.
“Ending abuse of donkeys will require changing public perception of them and educating on proper care and treatment,” Hakala says. “I wanted a fun, family-oriented event that centered on interacting with donkeys, but with plenty of other activities and education for attendees.”
Hakala says there are a number of ways donkeys end up at the rescue. Sometimes she and her donkey-rescue cohorts will travel to auctions to buy them away from traders and kill-pen operators.
“Traders frequently buy donkeys at auction, then travel to subsequent auctions to try and make a profit reselling the animals. They frequently do not feed them and force them to ride hours upon hours without water, so the donkeys tend to be skinny and dehydrated,” Hakala says. “Kill pens get them from auctions and take them to a lot, where they are subjected to life-threatening disease, abuse, sometimes starvation, and are frequently housed with horses much larger than them. Ideally, we can save the donkeys from that experience and suffering.”
Other times, donkeys that have been removed from abusive or negligent situations are brought by law enforcement officers, or their owners surrender them if they can no longer care for them.
“On occasion, we get donkeys someone bought from the kill pen and sent to us,” Hakala says. “These are usually those that have severely overgrown hooves, have been starved, or have very young babies.”
But while many of these animals came to the rescue because of sad circumstances, Hakala says they’re happy to meet visitors.
“I think the biggest thing that might surprise people about donkeys is their extremely sweet, loving nature. Donkeys love to be loved, petted, hugged, and interacted with positively,” Hakala says. “People frequently comment when they come to visit how calm and friendly the donkeys are.”
One particularly loving donkey is an older boy named Herman. Donktoberfest attendees will have the opportunity to take a sweet selfie with Herman in the donkey kissing booth.
“He stands in the booth to greet people and pose for pictures while waiting for someone to give him a big smooth on the nose,” Hakala says. “The kissing booth is one of the event favorites.”
Other event offerings include tours of the farm, a bounce house, and donkey-themed crafts such as donkey ears and bead projects.
“There is also a coloring contest for the kids where they will win some cool prizes,” Hakala says.
For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar. Featured photo courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels
