In the News:
GFAS Press Release, 5/5/20
Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue of Westminster, Maryland has achieved Accreditation by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
May 5, 2020, (Westminster, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations, awarded Accredited status to Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue as of April 21, 2020.
Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue first achieved GFAS Verification in July 2019, meeting criteria for providing humane and responsible care to equines. With dedication and commitment to demonstrating high levels of professionalism, Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue has now achieved Accredited status. Accreditation signifies that Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue meets GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards which are confirmed by a comprehensive site visit. Accreditation also signifies adherence to standards addressing the sustainability of the organization, ethical principles, finances, staffing, education outreach, security and safety and other operational aspects.
“We are proud to announce that Little Longears has met the rigorous requirements for GFAS Accreditation and have transitioned from Verification to Accreditation with their hard work and dedication,” said Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., GFAS Program Director-Equine. “Although this organization started out rescuing only miniature donkeys, they have opened their barn doors to donkeys of all sizes if the need is there. Their donkeys come from many situations but importantly, they are committed to providing a safe haven for owners to surrender their donkeys if they are no longer able to care for them. The goal is to keep donkeys out of bad situations and into new homes or sanctuary.”
“Being recognized and accredited by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries is an honor and validates the hard work we do,” stated Valerie Lowe, Executive Director of Little Longears. “Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue has worked diligently to help donkeys in need, always striving to provide the highest level of care for these wonderful animals. I think recognition by GFAS adds a level of credibility to an organization that donors seek. To have met the rigorous standards set by GFAS in only our seventh year and know that we are one of only a few donkey rescues in the country to receive GFAS accreditation, inspires us to do even more!”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.
The Dodo visited Little Longears and made this awesome video!
Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
July 2, 2019 (Westminster, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue as of June 18, 2019.
Verification means that Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are confirmed by a site visit and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. The Verification status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue as an exceptional organization.
“We are proud to announce the recent Verification of Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue,” said Valerie Taylor, GFAS Program Director-Equine. “The personnel at Little Longears have a very thorough understanding of, and experience in equine care-the donkeys benefit greatly from the responsible rehabilitation, retraining, and adoption programs provided for them. The organization’s Founders seem to continually keep an eye focused on the future as well, strategizing and planning initiatives to increase program capacity and ensure organizational sustainability, all for the advantage of the animals in their care.”
“Little Longears is thrilled to be verified by GFAS,” said Valerie Lowe, Executive Director, Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue. “This is an important step towards significant credibility for our donkey rescue.”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.
About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. While the board includes those in top leadership at The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.
WBAL visited Little Longears on January 9
WBAL Baltimore visited Little Longears on January 9, 2019, and wrote a great article titled “Your old Christmas Tree Could Feed Rescued Miniature Donkeys”. They shared information about the farm and especially the donkey’s love of leftover Xmas trees! Many people responded to the news piece and brought their xmas trees to the farm to be “recycled”! See the video below:
Horses in the Morning Podcast – November 2018
Val was interviewed by Horses in the Morning, The world’s leading daily morning podcast for the horse world with listeners in over 90 countries. A light, lively, entertaining look at the horse world and the people in it. Listen to the entire podcast or just Val’s interview below:
March 2018 – Article in East Coast Equestrian, titled “Donkeys, Often Misunderstood and Neglected, Find Homes at Little Long Ears“, by Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Val explains the need for Little Longears and the challenges Donkeys present for owners.
Read about Little Longear’s Val Lowe in the August 2016 issue of Practical Horseman.
Val shares how she went from being an A-circuit hunter/jumper trainer, showing, riding, teaching, and running her own business, to becoming the co-founder and director of Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue.
Carroll County Times published an article entitled “Huge hearts for diminutive donkeys” in April 2016.
WBAL-11 in Baltimore did an awesome video interview from the Farm.
We won a $10,000 conditional matching grant from the ASPCA in 2016 for the construction of a Quarantine/Medical Barn. We are proud to be one of only 15 recipients nationwide this year!
As one of the only rescues solely dedicated to miniature donkeys, Little Longears has grown so quickly since our inception, that the pasture and run-in that was originally intended to be our quarantine space, has now become incorporated into our main donkey area. A quarantine/medical barn, separate from our main barn and pastures, would allow us to have more rehabilitated donkeys awaiting adoption, while we care for new arrivals.