Julie Jones has bred, raised and sold livestock her whole life — but she never planned to own 81 miniature donkeys.
The daughter of Skagit County dairy farmers, Jones has a background in agricultural economics and has worked everywhere from Carnation Dairies to Twin City Foods. She and her husband, Todd Frankenfield, even raised performance quarter horses in the ‘90s, until an encounter with miniature donkeys sparked a new passion.
“There was a pasture near [our friend’s house] that had donkeys in it, so we’d pull over all the time and just sit there and laugh and laugh like people do here,” she said. The couple realized their own 58-acre farm was also suited to donkeys, so in 1998, they purchased their first pair.
By the early aughts, Jones had started ordering even more donkeys from across the U.S. — initially without telling her husband. Now she’s collected what she describes as “one of the nicest herds in the country” through her business, JF Ranch, just outside of La Conner.
According to JF’s website, these donkeys are “conformationally correct, colorful, possess loving personalities and are from superior bloodlines.” They’ve competed in numerous shows, and are sold to farms across the U.S., Canada and even France.
Mediterranean miniature donkeys are naturally small; unlike miniature horses, they don’t suffer genetic issues due to their size. Native to Sicily and Sardinia, the donkeys were once used as draft animals and imported to the States in 1929. There are estimated to be just 10,000–20,000 miniature donkeys in the U.S. today.
Mini donkeys are mostly kept as pets or therapy animals — and if you ever meet one, you’ll realize why. “They became popular in the States because of their small size, and they’re very loving,” Jones explained. “Their disposition sells them.”
On the day I visited JF Ranch, I expected Jones’ herd to be wary of newcomers. But the moment I stepped into the field, dozens of jacks (males) and jennets (females) trotted over like eager, oversized puppies — and wherever I went, the donkeys dutifully followed. Some darted between my legs. Others brushed up against me, presumably in search of snacks and/or butt scratches.
“They’re just like big dogs, and they’re really funny,” Jones said. “That’s why people laugh at the babies — because they get the zoomies — and they often come up to the fence line to greet people.” Jones doesn’t give tours, but passersby are welcome to approach the fence. So, if traffic slows on Best Road, mini donkeys might be to blame.
Despite her prolific herd, Jones can still tell the donkeys apart on sight. They come in multiple colors, from the traditional gray to dark brown and spotted variations. Some donkeys are fluffier than others. Each has a distinctive name: Kiss My Tulips, Bunny XO, Apple Spice, Maybe It’s Maybelline, Whiskey in a Teacup and Skittles, just to name a few.
I also met a few newborns whose names were left up to future owners. Donkeys have a year-long gestation period; though Jones welcomed 22 babies this year, just two are for sale (“and I haven’t pushed selling those,” she added).
Jones is meticulous about her breeding practices, prioritizing loving dispositions, wide chests, straight legs, short backs and other desirable aesthetic qualities. “I like a pretty head. Everybody does — and why not on a donkey?” she continued. “Everybody thinks donkeys are kind of dorky, but they’re not. They can be really pretty.”
Each donkey costs between $3,000–$4,500, but not just anyone can buy them. New customers are thoroughly vetted and must send photos of their fencing and farm setup. What’s more, Jones will only sell in pairs.
“Donkeys are much more social than horses,” she added. “Some people have a problem with one donkey, and they’ll start getting aggressive or depressed. They just really need a buddy of their own.”
Jones knows donkeys have a reputation for being headstrong, but she said these behaviors come from self-preservation instincts rather than stubbornness. The key to raising donkeys is kindness, not force. And once trust is built, donkeys — not unlike dogs — can be trained to do most anything.
For example, Jones’ show donkey, Ransom, can do tricks ranging from driving (cart pulling) to pivots and jumps. Another donkey, Miss Daisy, has appeared everywhere from catalogs to parades and Santa meet-and-greets.
But while their loyalty and intelligence are similar to a dog’s, a donkey’s lifespan is much longer, ranging from 30–35 years. This longevity is ideal for people who desire long-term companions — but it’s also why Jones vets customers so thoroughly. She’s wary of pet owners who adopt animals on a whim, then return them when the novelty wears thin.
Miniature donkeys, like any pet, are a major commitment. But for those equipped to care for them, they can be hugely rewarding. “It’s just a lot of fun,” Jones said. “I don’t have any problem selling them — and they kind of sell themselves.”
Info: jfranch.net.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
