About us

Meet MaryJo

Founder • Donkey Gentler 

Famous Shamus Farm is led by Mary Jo Enfield, whose life and work center around understanding animals that many people overlook or misunderstand.

Mary Jo specializes in working with wild burros and mustangs, focusing on gentling and foundational training that helps these animals build confidence, clarity, and trust with humans. Her approach is calm, thoughtful, and practical — shaped by years of hands-on experience rather than shortcuts or force.

Whether starting a completely untouched animal or helping an adopter take the next steps, Mary Jo’s goal is always the same: to create a safe, honest foundation that supports both the animal and the person responsible for them.

Meet Dan

Farm Operations & Animal Care

Dan Enfield is the backbone of daily life at Famous Shamus Farm. His work keeps the farm running and the animals cared for, day in and day out.

Dan is deeply involved in hands-on donkey care, assisting with gentling, handling, and daily observation of both wild and domestic animals. He also manages the practical realities of the farm—repairing and building fencing, maintaining pens, hauling hay, filling water troughs, and making sure the animals’ environment is safe and functional in every season.

His steady presence allows training and gentling work to happen safely and consistently. While much of his work happens quietly behind the scenes, it is essential to everything Famous Shamus Farm does.

Dan’s commitment is not about recognition—it’s about responsibility, reliability, and showing up every day for the animals.

Forever Branded Adoption Center

Famous Shamus Farm is an approved Forever Branded Adoption Center, working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to help place wild burros and mustangs into qualified homes.

As an adoption center, Famous Shamus Farm provides a location where approved adopters can meet, select, and adopt eligible animals in accordance with Forever Branded and BLM guidelines.

Some animals at the farm must be adopted directly through the BLM, while others are adopted or purchased first and then gently started before being placed into a home. Each situation is handled with transparency and with the animal’s long-term well-being as the priority.

Forever Branded Partner 

Mary Jo Enfield is a Forever Branded Partner, specializing in gentling wild burros and mustangs to help prepare them for life beyond the range.

Her work focuses on building a calm, honest foundation through patience, consistency, and clarity — giving both the animal and the adopter the best chance for long-term success.

Adopters may choose to adopt:

• A completely untouched wild burro or mustang

• Or an animal that has been gently started with basic groundwork

Mary Jo’s role is to support a smoother transition by helping animals develop confidence and understanding before entering their forever homes.

Why Famous Shamus Farm

Famous Shamus Farm is named after a donkey who changed everything.

Shamus taught us that trust cannot be rushed and that real gentling happens when animals are given time, clarity, and respect. The lessons learned through him continue to shape every animal we work with and every decision we make.

This farm exists to honor that understanding — that wild or wounded animals deserve more than quick fixes. They deserve patience, leadership, and a chance to be truly seen.

What Matters Here

At Famous Shamus Farm, we believe good work is quiet work. Whether serving as an adoption center, a gentling partner, or a place of learning, our focus remains the same — thoughtful transitions, honest partnerships, and futures built on trust.