ABOUT OUR HUMANS Cypress Farm & Purple Donkey Human Rescue
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Elizabeth Grillo, The Maven
Dixie Shearouse, The Brains
Elizabeth Grillo, The Maven
Owner of Cypress Farm Registered Miniature Donkeys and President of the 501C3 Purple Donkey Human Rescue
Donkeys aren't the only small but mighty creatures on the farm. Elizabeth along with her team of mostly female donkey wranglers have expanded her vision of donkey joy into a business and a non-profit serving the community. While it is s
Owner of Cypress Farm Registered Miniature Donkeys and President of the 501C3 Purple Donkey Human Rescue
Donkeys aren't the only small but mighty creatures on the farm. Elizabeth along with her team of mostly female donkey wranglers have expanded her vision of donkey joy into a business and a non-profit serving the community. While it is still and likely to always to be growing and in development, what started with a dream is now a beautiful reality spreading the love and empathy of the miniature donkey with all who wish to participate. Come play with us !
Tom Miller, The Farmer
Dixie Shearouse, The Brains
Elizabeth Grillo, The Maven
Vice President, Purple Donkey Human Rescue
Owner, Cypress Farm
Tom Miller is the muscle and the heart of this operation. Property owner and dedicated animal lover, Tom grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina in a farming and real estate family. He bought this beloved farm in Chester SC almost 30 years ago and is now a deeply invested resident in the Chester Community.
Dixie Shearouse, The Brains
Dixie Shearouse, The Brains
Dixie Shearouse, The Brains
Secretary, Purple Donkey Human Rescue
Nothing could have prepared Dixie to fall in love with donkeys, but she did. From the first bray, she was hooked. She cannot even say the word donkey without smiling. With master’s degrees in Computer Science and Healthcare Administration, Dixie’s expertise fit quite well in the corporate world. It doe
Secretary, Purple Donkey Human Rescue
Nothing could have prepared Dixie to fall in love with donkeys, but she did. From the first bray, she was hooked. She cannot even say the word donkey without smiling. With master’s degrees in Computer Science and Healthcare Administration, Dixie’s expertise fit quite well in the corporate world. It doesn’t mean a thing to a donkey.
Dixie grew up in Savannah, GA, but she always had itchy feet. After living and working in Europe for several years, she moved to California where she spent the rest of her career in the fast-paced but rewarding healthcare environment.
When deciding to take on a new project, her criteria then is the same as it is now.
Is it interesting? Do I like the people? Do I think I can make a difference?
Having been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Purple Donkey Human Rescue fits all three criteria and is privileged to be a part of such a humble and rewarding project.ur business here.
ABOUT OUR DONKEYS
Donkey 101
MOST IMPORTANTLY
A single donkey is a very lonely and often misbehaving donkey, you need a minimum two donkeys for them to live happily and thrive
1) They are delightful animals, but do require your love and time.
2) Fresh hay (no alfalfa), fresh water, salt and if necessary minerals and vitamins. Obesity is a huge health problem in donkeys. Dry lots are much better than grass.
3) Not to be tossed in a pasture for livestock guarding purposes.
4) Require routine farrier visits; every 6-8 weeks
5) Require periodic worming
6) Require annual vaccinations.
7) Like all equine, donkeys require periodic dental examinations and teeth floated.
8) Emergencies do happen, have a relationship with an equine vet.
9) Intact jacks are not suitable pets for families situations. Should only be owned by experienced equine owners.
10) Not all donkeys work well with small livestock. Some may even try to kill small goats and also dogs.
11) Life span for minis. can be up to mid-30s or more
Donkey History
Donkeys have been a cornerstone in human existence and they still prop up entire communities today, ferrying water, food and crops. They are highly intelligent creatures, sociable and calm, capable of independent thinking and decision making. They are strong and won’t do something they consider unsafe, which makes them a great, trusted companion. Donkeys are, quite simply, amazing.
There are over 44 million donkeys worldwide and sadly so many are subjected to neglect and abuse, overworked and left in agony to die. This happens due to a lack of education, a lack of understanding of what good care looks like and the hardships of day to day life facing families and communities across the world. Many drive their donkeys into the grave simply out of a need to survive, to ensure their children and families are fed and sheltered. And when those families can no longer depend on their donkeys, more often than not its women, children and particularly girls who feel the impact most. Everyone’s lives are destroyed.
More recently we’ve seen the horrific impact of the illegal and unsustainable donkey skin trade. Donkeys across the world are being stolen from families that rely on them, slaughtered and skinned. All because the gelatine in their hide is a key ingredient in a traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao. With a growing middle class, demand for ejiao has sky rocketed and now its big business.
Here at The Donkey Sanctuary our work transforms lives. We provide lifesaving veterinary care, we train vets and we educate current and future donkey owners. We deliver donkey assisted therapy to support children and adults with special educational needs or those suffering from chronic illness. And, of course, we provide sanctuary to donkeys who have been neglected, abused and abandoned.
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/all-about-donkeys/why-donkeys-matter
Our Donkey Philosophy
We focus on excellent bloodlines and structure first and foremost. We responsibly breed small but mighty registered miniature donkeys for pets and performance. We also carefully breed micro and wooly donkeys. We have over 50 registered miniature donkeys on site with a staff and trainer who halter and handle each donkey on a daily basis. We also host a rescue program under our emotional support 501C3 , Purple Donkey Human Rescue.