Healing Hearts Donkey Shelter And Refuge-North Central Washington Region

Healing Hearts Donkey Shelter And Refuge-North Central Washington Region Donkeys give back when you give them mutual respect. They are brilliant and devoted to people who are willing to understand them.

06/12/2026

AI... there is no way someone can physically pull that foal up into the boat, single-handedly, by the scruff of the neck like that. And yet, so many people will believe what they're seeing.

SHARING A DONKEY Q&A SESSION. I saw this question on another group page and this was my response...Q: What is considered...
06/04/2026

SHARING A DONKEY Q&A SESSION.
I saw this question on another group page and this was my response...
Q: What is considered a “good life” for a donkey? Ours just kind of hang out.

A: Some donkeys become destructive because of boredom. They need mental stimulation. They need a job, they need things to hold their interest. They need something to do to keep them busy. They need toys, barked tree trunks to chew on, frequent walks, an obstacle course to work through, take "appropriate weight" people for rides, pulling carts, packing and camping, etc.

Then there are some donkeys that just like hanging out. As long as you are providing a healthy diet, shelter to protect them from nature's harsh elements, regular vet & farrier visits, and LOTS of human love, attention, and interaction, you're doing all the right things. 😊

Yes, cats can get tick paralysis, too; and it is a life-threatening medical emergency. This condition occurs when a fema...
05/29/2026

Yes, cats can get tick paralysis, too; and it is a life-threatening medical emergency. This condition occurs when a female tick attaches to a cat and injects a neurotoxin into the cat's bloodstream while feeding. While it is relatively rare in North America, it's been popping up a lot recently.

Symptoms typically appear 3 to 7 days after a tick attaches. The neurotoxin disrupts the cat's nervous system, causing progressive paralysis.

Look out for these signs:
*The cat will stumble, struggle to jump, or walk like they are "drunk".

*A distinct change in the sound or pitch of their meow.

*Excessive drooling, coughing, gagging, or difficulty swallowing food and water.

*Large, sluggish pupils that respond poorly to light.
*Grunting, panting, or heavy abdominal breathing as chest muscles fail.

If you see a tick, remove it immediately. Use a specialized tick hook or tweezers to pluck the tick straight off the skin. Do not squeeze the tick's body, as this can force more toxins into the cat.

If you suspect tick paralysis, you must seek emergency vet care.
Minimize stress and keep your cat in a cool, quiet space during transport, as stress can worsen respiratory distress.

Vets will thoroughly search for additional ticks, administer a tick antiserum (TAS) injection to neutralize circulating toxins, and provide critical oxygen or respiratory support.

The most effective defense is a year-round, vet-approved parasite preventative. Never use dog tick products on a cat, as many contain permethrin, which is highly toxic and lethal to felines.

Begin a daily manual tick check by running your fingers through your cat's fur. Pay close attention to high-risk hiding zones. 85-90% of ticks are found around the head, neck, ears, armpits, and between the toes.



WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TICK PARALYSIS?I took our dogs in to see Dr. Cody Ames for their annual wellness check and vaccin...
05/29/2026

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TICK PARALYSIS?
I took our dogs in to see Dr. Cody Ames for their annual wellness check and vaccinations. He told me that the ticks are particularly bad this year (which I already suspected). What I was not aware of is Tick Paralysis. Vet Cody said he typically sees 1 or 2 incidents a year; this year, he has already seen 5 cases, and tick season is just getting started.

Tick Paralysis in dogs is a severe, rapidly progressive medical emergency caused by a neurotoxin produced by certain species of feeding female ticks.

It's not a disease or infection, but rather a form of poisoning that directly disrupts the connection between your dog's nerves and muscles. If you suspect your dog has tick paralysis, you must seek immediate veterinary care, as the condition can quickly become fatal.

Symptoms typically appear 5 to 9 days after a tick attaches and can worsen rapidly. The paralysis usually starts at the rear of the body and progresses forward.

Watch for:
*Wobbliness or weakness in the hind legs, causing a staggering or drunken gait.

*Change in bark or loss of voice due to weakness in the vocal cords.

*Gagging, coughing, or retching, which happens because the throat and esophagus become paralyzed.

*Excessive drooling and difficulty swallowing. Regurgitation or vomiting increases the risk of aspiration (fluid entering the lungs, leading to pneumonia).

*Labored, heavy, or rapid breathing as the paralysis moves to the chest muscles and diaphragm.

*Dilated pupils and an inability to blink if the tick is attached near the face.

*Complete collapse and total body immobilization.

What to Do? Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Let them know you suspect tick paralysis so they can prepare for your arrival. Perform a thorough tick search. Remove your dog's collar and run your fingers firmly over the skin. Pay extra attention to the face, neck, ears, lips, and between the toes.

Remove the tick safely. Use a tick removal tool or tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin, then pull it straight out. If the head stays behind, do not panic; the body contains the salivary glands that produce the toxin.

Keep your dog calm, cool, and quiet. Stress and heat accelerate the toxin's effects. Do not offer food or water, as their paralyzed throat muscles can cause them to choke or aspirate.

We've dealt with regular ticks and even "ear ticks," but we have no desire to deal with Tick Paralysis. So all the dogs are now sporting Elanco Seresto flea & tick collars for their third year. They're expensive, but they do their job.

Please share with your family and friends, and on your profile page,e so others learn about Tick Paralysis.


Q: Is middle or late spring OK for grazing? A: Mid-spring grazing for a donkey is risky and should be strictly managed b...
05/19/2026

Q: Is middle or late spring OK for grazing?

A: Mid-spring grazing for a donkey is risky and should be strictly managed because fresh spring grass is exceptionally high in sugar and calories.

Donkeys evolved in arid desert environments where they primarily consume high-fiber, low-nutrient vegetation.

Allowing a healthy donkey to graze for an hour or two can be done safely, provided you follow a strict protocols to prevent serious health issues.

The high sugar content in lush spring grass can cause painful inflammation in the hoof, which can lead to permanent damage or even be fatal.

Because donkeys originated from the African Desert, they are extremely efficient at pulling nutrients out of everything they eat and they have a strong instinct to constantly look for food; so unrestricted access to rich pasture can lead to rapid weight gain and metabolic disorders.

A sudden change in diet from dry forage to lush grass can disrupt the digestive system and can cause colic; so you should gradually start with very short periods of 15–20 minutes and slowly work up to an hour or two over several weeks.

Timing is important. They should only be allowed to graze in the early morning hours BEFORE 9:00 am when sugar levels in the grass are at their lowest.

Avoid grazing between late morning and late afternoon, as sugar levels peak during sunny hours.

You should also keep them.off grass if the overnight temperature drops below freezing, the grass may retain higher sugar levels in the morning; in these cases, it is safer to skip grazing that morning.

Monitor your donkey's physical condition frequently. Check for "fat pads" developing on the neck or ribs as this is a :for sure" sign that your donkey is becoming obese and needs to come off that grass before it becomes afflicted with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (similar to adult onset diabetes in humans).

Watch for a unnatural, stiff, gait where your donkey takes short, cautious steps. That is a strong indication that your donkey is in pain or in physical discomfort, and at the onset of laminitis.

If your donkey is walking like it's walking on eggshells or similar to someone walking barefoot on gravel; if it shifts it's weight from one foot to another, lying down a lot or standing with its front legs stretched out in front and the back legs tucked under the body, that donkey is foundering and needs to be pulled of that grass immediately and kept on a dry lot. A drylot is a paddock, a fenced enclosure or meant for holding and feeding donkeys without grazing on open pasture.

The bulk of a donkey's diet (approximately 75–100%) should consist of high-fiber roughage like barley straw. However, barley straw is hard toget in the U.S., so Wheat Straw is the next best thing.

Regardless of the month, the safety of grazing is determined more by the weather and time of day than the calendar.

The lowest sugar levels most often occurs between 3:00 am and 9:00 am.
Overcast or rainy days generally result in lower sugar production compared to bright, sunny days; and late summer/early Autumn Grazing usually becomes "safer" once the grass has matured, turned brown, or become "stringy" and high in fiber.





Hearts Donkey Shelter And Refuge-North Central Washington Region

05/06/2026

🐾💛 FOSTER OR FOREVER HOME NEEDED FOR RASCAL 💛🐾
Rascal has been given a beautiful glimpse into what family life can be — and now he needs someone to continue that journey.
Thanks to Amy and Jason, Rascal has come so incredibly far… but due to a recent change in work schedules, his foster mom is now away for days at a time, making it difficult to continue working through his fear of strangers.
👉 Now Rascal needs a calm, committed home to help him keep growing.
🐶 Meet Rascal:
• 11 years old
• Neutered & up to date on vaccines
• Has cataracts (limited vision, especially at night)
• Sweet, loyal, and deeply loving once he trusts you
Rascal spent 6 years living outdoors in a shelter… and yet, it didn’t take him long to fall in love with the comforts of home — cozy beds, toys, fresh meals, and yes… pup cups 🥹
🏡 The Home He Needs:
Rascal would thrive in a quiet, stable home with patient, understanding people who will give him time to adjust.
✨ Important Notes:
• Strangers: He barks and needs slow, calm introductions
• Vision: Limited in low light — benefits from night lights & routine
• Dogs: Does well with medium-large dogs with proper introductions (loves to play!)
• Cats: Possible with supervision, especially in low light
• Food: Must eat separately and may guard uneaten food
• Routine: Structure helps him feel safe
🧡 His Personality & Favorites:
• LOVES car rides (will sit in the driver’s seat if you let him 😄)
• Obsessed with toys — there’s never enough
• Enjoys homemade food & yogurt
• Does well with bathing (just add a towel for footing)
• Learning house manners and doing great!
💊 Care Needs:
• Digestive supplements (Pan-tenex routine)
• Consistency, patience, and reassurance
Rascal may not be the easiest dog — but he is absolutely worth it.
Once he trusts you, he’s yours for life.
He deserves a home where he can feel safe, understood, and loved for the rest of his days 💛
📩 Interested in fostering or adopting Rascal?
Email: [email protected]
📱 Text: 509-634-0789
🌐 Apply: https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/AOK/Dog⁠�
🐾 Please share to help Rascal find his person.

THIS IS MY NEW FOSTER DRACO (or Drake for short)! He's an adorable 13-pound, 3-year-old Chihuahua mix. Dan and I are enj...
05/06/2026

THIS IS MY NEW FOSTER DRACO (or Drake for short)!

He's an adorable 13-pound, 3-year-old Chihuahua mix. Dan and I are enjoying having this little guy around. He's lovable, super friendly with visitors, and listens.

When it's time to put on his leash, he rolls onto his belly for some tummy rubs. Once he's ready to walk, he’s all about exploring. Ever curious, he explores with his nose and walks with a purpose!

He’s well house-trained and crate-trained, and gets along wonderfully with our own chihuahua mixes. He's been fostered around German Shepherds and a Lab, and I've heard he’s great with cats and kids, too.

He definitely enjoys playtime and exploring is his favorite thing to do, but he is also ready to relax peacefully afterward.

Draco is fully vetted and eagerly waiting for his forever family. Born on 10/9/22, he's neutered and has all his vaccines up to date. If you're interested in giving this sweet boy a loving home, please reach out to Yours Dog Rescue via Facebook's Private Messenger.

Address

121 Keystone Road
Riverside, WA
98849

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 1pm
Tuesday 8am - 1pm
Wednesday 8am - 1pm
Thursday 8am - 1pm
Friday 8am - 1pm
Saturday 8am - 1pm
Sunday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+15093224995

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