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NOVEMBER 2025
HOWIE
Howie's Story
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In Jan 2024 Merle and Zeus, two of the most favorite donkeys at Oscar’s Place, died within weeks of each other and the team was devasted. The decision was made to honor their memory by rescuing 10 pregnant female donkeys at auction in Texas. They had obviously been through a lot and were all wild donkeys and unable to be handled when they first arrived.
Buttercup was the first to have a baby; an all-white, fluffy little baby named Howie. He was the smallest baby that we have ever had at Oscar’s Place. Unfortunately, Buttercup did not want Howie to nurse, which is very important and necessary for a newborn foal. We worried that Howie would become the first rejected foal at the sanctuary. Thanks to the wisdom of staff members, Hugo and Kenneth, they found a way to get Buttercup to let Howie nurse. They watched the effects of the motherly hormones hit the minute that Howie latched on. Buttercup’s whole face relaxed and she bent her head around and licked Howie. She has been a perfect mother ever since. Howie is the most dog-like donkey baby who knows no fear and loves people so much. He runs full speed to the gate to meet people coming in. He is the highlight of many peoples’ day when they visit Oscar’s Place.
About the Artist:​
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Melisa Beveridge of Woollybear Travels is a Registered Veterinary Technician and a Science Illustrator on a mission to make the world a better place for orphaned, injured, and rescued animals. Through Woollybear Travels, she goes to animal sanctuaries around the world and volunteers her services as an animal nurse, where it’s legal, or does general volunteer work if it’s not. She writes about the animals she meets, the people who are helping them, and creates artwork based on her experiences.
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About Oscar's Place:​
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Donkeys are some of the most loving and trusting creatures on Earth, and when they suffer because humans are unkind, Oscar’s Place steps in. While we’re just a team of everyday individuals, we deeply care for and are committed to providing a safe haven for donkeys in need.​ We focus on donkeys because the world's donkey population is being decimated. Not by disease, global warming, or predators. But because there is a high demand for their hides in the creation of a traditional Chinese medicine.
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They deserve better than to be abused, crowded into horrifying transport containers, and shipped off to slaughter factories. Our mission is straight-forward: To every donkey that makes its way to Oscar’s Place, we will do everything in our power to keep that animal safe, healthy & happy for the rest of its life.
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We love animals, and quite frankly, we need to team up with other people who also care about what happens to these beautiful creatures. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to make a big difference.​When you make a donation, you help a donkey recover emotionally and physically from its past.
You are restoring their belief in humans as caregivers. Your impact even makes it possible to re-home donkeys to carefully-screened adopters, which enables us to bring more of these precious animals into our care system. Again, we’re not special, but our team consists of caring employees, volunteers, veterinarians, and farriers – all with a singular objective: to help donkeys recover physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every person on-site is committed to hands-on interaction with our donkeys, every day.Loving them. Calming them. Healing them. We want to show them that humans can be good. Can you save a donkey’s life today or can you share this message?
Thank you so much for caring.