How to Adopt a Burro

Many settlers and companies used sure-footed and hardy burros as pack animals when they made their way West. Today descendants of those burros that escaped or were released by settlers run the plains in herds just like wild horses. To keep herd sizes manageable the United States Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) regularly offers burros for adoption to qualified people. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Research the adoption options for your area. You can adopt at a BLM facility or satellite site and through a BLM Internet adoption or traveling weekend adoption program. Depending on your area it can be more difficult to find burros to adopt then a wild horse.

2. Consider adopting a burro with an organization other than the BLM, such as a private sanctuary or a rescue group. A burro rescue or private organization's adoption procedures will be very similar to the BLM's burro adoption process.

3. Talk with a representative from either the BLM, a burro rescue, sanctuary, or reserve about the adoption process. Determine if a burro is a good choice for you. Burros have different needs than horses and can live over 40 years, so adopting a burro shouldn't be taken lightly.

4. Fill out an application form and submit it to the organization you wish to adopt a burro from. Once they have received and reviewed your application the group will have a representative contact you.

5. Bring your farm up to adoption standards. If you are adopting a burro from a rescue or sanctuary, that burro has been handled and fence broke, and you may not have to make any changes to your facility. However, if you are adopting from the BLM or a wild burro, chances are you will have to increase the height of your fences or corrals. Many a new owner have been surprised to learn that their little burro can jump just as well, and as high, as any horse.

6. Make arrangements to pay an adoption or donation fee and to transport your burro to his new home. Ask the organization whether you have to supply a halter. The size and type of trailer you will need to transport you burro will depend on his size, age and the group's specific requirements.

7. Contact a trainer that has experience working with burros. They are highly intelligent animals, and though they are prey animals, they are also very aware that they are capable of fighting off predators. This can make them less flighty than a horse, but more stubborn and difficult to work with.

Tips & Warnings

• A donkey and burro are the same. Burros or donkeys come in many sizes--miniature, standard and huge, but they are still the same animal.

Resources

• Information and resources for adopters of wild mustang and burros.
• Wild Burro Rescue
• The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
• Bureau of Land Management's official site for their National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.