More Space. More Second Chances.

famousshamusfarm
Jul 11
5 min read

A wide view landscape photo of the farm facility and sanctuary buildings.

More Space.

More Second Chances.

Dear Friends,

When I founded Famous Shamus Farm, I had a dream of creating a place where wild burros could have a second chance—a place where they could be understood, given time to learn, and eventually find the right people to share their lives with.

I never could have imagined how far that dream would grow.

Today, I am excited to share one of our biggest milestones yet: Famous Shamus Farm has expanded and is now approved to care for

up to 50 wild burros at one time.

This expansion required adding additional pens and making improvements to our facility so that we could safely provide space for more burros. Our pens now extend around the barn, including our gentling areas, our transition area for burros waiting for adoption, and our nursery area for younger burros.

Having these spaces allows us to better care for each burro’s individual needs—from arrival, to gentling, to adoption.

But this milestone is about much more than fences and pens. It means more wild burros will have the opportunity to be safe, learn, and find their forever homes.

Pondo and Aspen

A friendly portrait photo of a rescued donkey named Pondo or Aspen.

47 Wild Burros Have Found Homes

Since becoming an adoption center, Famous Shamus Farm has helped 47 wild burros find homes.

Every adoption represents a unique journey. These burros come to us with different personalities, different experiences, and different needs. Our goal is not just to find a home—it is to help create a successful partnership between each burro and their adopter.

One story that represents this perfectly is the journey of Pondo and Aspen.

When an adopter from New Mexico reached out about starting their journey with wild burros, we knew we wanted to help set both the adopter and the burros up for success.

Because this was their first experience owning donkeys, Dan and I carefully evaluated several burros based on their curiosity, confidence, and trainability. We selected five burros that we felt could be a good fit and ultimately chose Clark and Vander.

Their adopter traveled 14 hours from New Mexico to join us for a three-day gentling camp through Training Wild Burros with MaryJo Enfield. He arrived the day before the camp began and stayed the day after it ended, allowing time to learn, build a relationship, and prepare for their new journey.

During the camp, he stayed right here on the property in one of our campers, with running water, a shower, and everything they needed while he immersed themselves in learning about their new burros.

At the end of the camp, Clark and Vander went home to New Mexico, where they began their next chapter as Pondo and Aspen.

But their training journey did not end there.

After completing their gentling program, which included accepting touch, haltering, leading, picking up all four feet, and loading into a trailer, their adopter hired Dan and me for additional training.

Together, we worked on groundwork, leading outside of the gentling pens, accepting a saddle, and beginning preparation with panniers.

Their new owner hopes to continue building their partnership with Pondo and Aspen through backcountry adventures and possibly pack burro racing. Their story is a reminder that adoption is not the end of the journey—it is the beginning of a new one.

A Dream Turned Into a Team Effort

Famous Shamus Farm may have started with a dream in my heart, but it has taken both of us working together to make that dream a reality. My husband, Dan, has supported this mission in countless ways.

From moving and ordering hay, filling water troughs, maintaining pens, running the bobcat to clean and improve the facility, and helping with gentling and training, Dan is an essential part of everything that happens here.

The stories people see—the adoptions, the training sessions, and the transformations—are only possible because of the many hours of work that happen behind the scenes every day.

I am incredibly grateful to have Dan beside me in this journey.

A New Chapter

This year also brought a major personal change. After many years working a 9-to-5 career, I stepped away from that job so I could dedicate more time to Famous Shamus Farm and Training Wild Burros with MaryJo Enfield.

Through Training Wild Burros with MaryJo Enfield, I have had the opportunity to teach people how to build better relationships with their donkeys—from those just beginning their journey to those wanting to continue developing their partnership.

One of the most exciting things I have discovered through teaching clinics and gentling camps is how much I continue to learn.

Teaching others has helped me recognize and better explain the small things that happen naturally when working with these animals. I believe this will help me become an even better teacher for both people and burros.

Join Us July 25–26, 2026

Our next Wild Burro Adoption Event is coming up!

Saturday, July 25, 2026 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday, July 26, 2026 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to meet available burros, watch training, and learn more about what makes these animals so special.

Both days will include a free spectator clinic from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM:

From First Touch to First Communication: What Comes Next?

We expect to have approximately 12 wild burros available, including burros at different stages of their journey.

Whether you are ready to adopt, interested in learning more about wild burros, or simply want to come be part of what we are doing, we would love to welcome you.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to continue growing the number of wild burros we can help through Famous Shamus Farm. We would love to see Famous Shamus Farm help 100 wild burros find homes each year, giving more burros the opportunity to find successful partnerships with people.

Through Training Wild Burros with MaryJo Enfield, my personal goal is to continue gentling and training approximately 36 wild burros each year. This work helps prepare untouched wild burros for the next step in their journey.

Every burro has a different journey, and our hope is to continue creating more opportunities for both wild burros and the people who want to learn how to partner with them.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Every person who follows, shares, visits, adopts, or supports Famous Shamus Farm helps more wild burros receive the second chance they deserve.

If you would like to help us continue expanding our ability to care for more burros, you can support our mission here:

With gratitude,

MaryJo Enfield Founder, Famous Shamus Farm