
Sanctuary is a safe place.
Sponsor your very own mule at our Refuge for $25 a month.
HOW IT WORKS
A sanctuary mule is considered to be any mule that remains at Lost Meadows for 2 or more years. Sometimes, mules move on from our sanctuary into our training program and become adoptable. But despite our best training and rehabilitation efforts, some mules in our care will never be able to leave Lost Meadows because of a terminal medical condition, extreme trauma from abuse, or aggression that makes them unsuitable for adoption.
They have no other safe place to live besides Lost Meadows. Here, they always receive the same care as our other mules and are well looked after. We call these mules our sanctuary mules. Currently, 55 out of 87 of our mules are considered sanctuary mules.
Because mules can live for 30-40 years, the cost of each sanctuary mule is immense over time, from their daily hay to veterinary care. It costs over $5,000 monthly to maintain our sanctuary program. This means Lost Meadows must manage our numbers carefully and ask for sponsorships to help with each mule’s cost of care. Sponsorships are vital to maintain the existence of our sanctuary program. Most other rescues cannot afford the cost of a sanctuary.
Lost Meadows is based in Caldwell, Texas, and NO LONGER has a facility in Virginia. Our Refuge also has mules at training sites in Big Spring, Liberty Hill, and McKinney throughout the year.
For $25 a month, you can sponsor the mule of your choice. Sponsors are more than welcome to visit our facilities and see their sponsored mule during most of the year.
If your sponsored mule gets adopted, your sponsorship will be transferred to the next mule in need.
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IN MEMORY OF MATTHEW
Rescued in summer 2020, Matthew was our most well-known rescue mule. Matthew was rescued from extremely severe neglect with chronic laminitis. Matthew gently passed away at Lost Meadows in fall 2022.
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AUTUMN
Rescued in fall 2020, Autumn the horse is Journey’s the mule’s mom. She was rescued from a place with jack donkeys and confirmed pregnant. 7 months later, Journey was born!
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ROSE, SPONSORED BY ELLSWORTH RETTAMMEL
Rose is a senior Molly mule rescued from a local auction in September 2024. She is very underweight and has some health issues that are currently being rehabilitated. Rose could use multiple sponsors to help with her care costs.
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GRIFFIN, SPONSORED BY FAITH GENCER
Rescued in 2024, Griffin is a 17 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows in poor condition with ringbone in both front feet. He has since been rehabilitated and due to his leg condition will stay here permanently as an ambassador.
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ELI
Surrendered in 2024, Eli is a 16 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows after his previous owner entered a health battle. We promised he would stay at LMMR as a mule ambassador.
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SUDS
ADOPTED
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SYLVESTER, SPONSORED BY ELIZABETH M DIETZ
Rescued in 2024, Sylvester is an 11 year old John mule who was never gelded. He has since been gelded at LMMR and will enter our training program in 2025.
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HOWDY, SPONSORED BY CHRISTI FAGERSTONE
Surrendered from Kansas in 2024, Howdy is an 18 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows after he became dangerous when trimming his back feet. Howdy is now a member of our sanctuary where he can safely receive hoof trims in our tilt chute.
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RAISIN
Surrendered in 2024, Raisin is an 11 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows after his previous owner entered a health battle. He will go into our training program in 2025.
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JOURNEY
is the very first baby mule ever born at Lost Meadows! Journey was born on May 19, 2021. Follow our social media to see weekly updates of her progress here!
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IN MEMORY OF REBA
Rescued in summer 2021, Reba was our oldest resident at 40 years of age. Reba was rescued from neglect by the HSPCA in Texas and transferred into our care. Reba gently passed away at our Refuge last year.
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IN MEMORY OF MARLOW
Rescued in summer 2021, Marlow was a 20 year old Molly mule rescued from severe neglect in Texas in summer 2021. She was starving and had extremely overgrown feet. Marlow spent 3 months at our Refuge being rehabilitated before her passing. She will always be remembered and greatly missed by us at the Refuge.
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SCOOTER
Rescued in winter 2023, Scooter is a 23 year old retired government packing mule. Scooter packed for the National Park Service for 13 years before being decommissioned into our care. Scooter needs a sponsorship to help with all of his extra feed.
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LOUISE
Rescued in spring 2022, Louise is a 17 year old mule rescued from extreme neglect in Virginia.
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CLYDE
Rescued in spring 2022, Clyde is a 17 year old mule rescued from extreme neglect in Virginia.
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NINA
is a 2 year old Molly mule rescued in spring 2022. She is being given time to grow and settle in our sanctuary before going into our training program in 2024.
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LOLITA
is a 15 year old Molly mule rescued in spring 2022. She is currently in training in Liberty Hill and will hopefully become adoptable soon!
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NEWMAN
was a 12 year old John mule rescued in spring 2023. Newman was horrifically abused and forced to pull a cart for miles and miles down asphalt roads with extremely damaged knees. His previous owner bragged that he has been worked over 100,000 miles. If any mule deserved sanctuary, it was Newman. Newman was laid to rest in the early spring of 2025.
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CYRUS
is an 8 year old John mule rescued in Texas in February 2023. Cyrus is a massive, unhandled mule and will spend some time in our sanctuary before going into our training program.
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PEPPER
Rescued in 2024, Pepper is a 2 year old Molly mule who came to Lost Meadows after being sold at auction unhandled. She will go into our training program in 2025.
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MARLIN
Rescued in 2024, Marlin is a 12 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows with a biting problem. He will go into our training program in 2025.
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JOHNNY
is a 5 year old mule surrendered in Texas in summer 2022.
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JUNIE
Rescued in 2019, Juni is an 11 year old Molly mule. She has graduated our training program and been returned from an adoption due to no fault of her own. Right now Junie is enjoying her time back at Lost Meadows as an ambassador.
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JUNIPER
is a 3 year old Molly mule rescued from severe neglect along with Sky in summer 2022.
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RALPH
is an 18 year old John mule rescued in Virginia in fall 2022. He went into our training program for a year but did not graduate and is now a member of our sanctuary.
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IN MEMORY OF TOMMY
was a John mule rescued in Kentucky in spring 2022. He was rescued sick, underweight and with very poor feet. Sadly Tommy lost his health battle despite our best efforts, but he will always be a part of Lost Meadows.
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CAROLINE
Caroline is a 7 year old Molly mule surrendered in Missouri in fall 2022. She is currently in our training program to become adoptable!
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LORRAINE
is a 12 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2019.
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MISTY
Rescued in 2025, Misty is a 6 year old Molly mule who came to Lost Meadows from a local auction. She will go into our training program in 2025.
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DALLAS
Rescued in 2025, Dallas is a 3 year old Molly mule who came to Lost Meadows from a local auction. She will go into our training program in 2025.
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HENDRIX
is a 7 year old John mule surrendered to our Refuge in 2019. He is currently in our foster program awaiting a forever home.
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BAMBI
ADOPTED
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CAPTAIN, SPONSORED BY HELEN FLEMING
Surrendered in 2025, Captain is a 17 year old John mule who came to Lost Meadows with extremely overgrown and thrushy feet. He is currently being rehabilitated and will join our sanctuary once he is healthy.
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BOONE
is a 9 year old John who was rescued in Tennessee in 2020. He is a rambunctious and feisty outlaw.
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JOHNSON
is a 16 year old John mule surrendered to Lost Meadows in 2019. He has some problems with proprioception and balance on uneven ground, likely due to a brain injury as a foal, so he remains in our sanctuary to be cared for.
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BENNY
ADOPTED
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PIPER
is a 13 year old Molly mule rescued in Frankfort, Indiana in 2018.
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DIGBY
is a 6 year old John mule rescued in Michigan in 2019. He is currently in our training program to learn good behaviors!
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TRUMAN
ADOPTED
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HOWIE
ADOPTED
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FRANKIE
is an 8 year old John mule rescued in Indiana in 2020.
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P.J.
is a 7 year old John mule rescued in Michigan in 2019. He is currently in our training program to learn good behaviors!
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WHITEY
ADOPTED
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HOLLY
is a 10 year old Molly mule rescued in Georgia in 2020. She is currently in our training program to learn good behaviors!
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WOODY
ADOPTED
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BELLA
ADOPTED
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IN MEMORY OF ODIN, SPONSORED BY ERIC SMITH
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ROSIE
is a 14 year old Molly who was a rescue transfer from Dansville, Michigan in 2019. Rosie is a master escape artist and can sometimes be aggressive towards people.
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DOUGLAS
ADOPTED
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JULIA
ADOPTED
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KIRBY
ADOPTED
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BREE
is an 8 year old Molly mule rescued in Floresville, Texas in 2021.
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PARKER
ADOPTED
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IN MEMORY OF AUGUSTUS
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FERGUS
is a 16 year old John mule rescued in Texas in summer 2022.
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PUMPKIN
is an 18 year old Molly mule rescued in Michigan in 2020.
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BARNEY
ADOPTED
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IN MEMORY OF MANDY
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IN MEMORY OF EDNA
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BAXTER
is a 6 year old mule who was rescued from Gilmer, Texas in 2019. He is currently in our training program to learn good behaviors!
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MAVERICK
is a 15 year old John who was transferred to us from Oregon by his loving owner in 2019 after handling his feet became too difficult. Maverick is a very sweet mule but is extremely fearful of having his feet worked on. We have made great progress in being able to pick up Maverick's front feet and hope that someday he will trust us enough to work on his back feet.
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ZSA ZSA
ADOPTED
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RUBY
is a 13 year old Molly mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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WINNDIXIE
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SARAFINA
was rescued in New Jersey with 7 other mules in 2018.
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CLAYTON
is a 28 year old mule who was rescued in California.
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HARRISON
is an 8 year old mule with aggressive tendencies. We have to be careful around Harrison, but he deserves to live in a safe environment.
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NOVA
is a 9 year old Molly mule who was rescued from a hoard in Texas in 2019. She is blind in her right eye.
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CHERRY
is an 11 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020. He is in our training program this year to learn good behaviors!
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IN MEMORY OF MARSHA
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MUDDY
is a 19 year old retired packing John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2019.
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IN MEMORY OF ROOSEVELT
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ROSEANNE
is a 9 year old Molly mule rescued from a hoarding situation in Texas in 2019.
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IN MEMORY OF SIMON
was a 23 year old John mule rescued in Texas in 2010.
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IN MEMORY OF MAXWELL
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IN MEMORY OF JASPER
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WINONA
is a 9 year old mule who was rescued with 27 other mules from Chapel Hill, Tennessee in 2020. Winona has permanent damage to her face and jaw from a halter that was left on for years and had grown in to her face. She is very fearful of people.
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IN MEMORY OF BARTHOLEMEW
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CALLI, SPONSORED BY SABINE LAZO
is a 15 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2010.
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ASIA
is a 6 year old Molly mule who was rescued with 27 other mules from Chapel Hill, Tennessee in 2020.
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EMMA
is an 11 year old mule who was transferred to us by law enforcement in Texas in 2018. Emma is missing her left eye and used to be so afraid of people that she would bite, but she is slowly learning to trust us and will walk up and take treats from our hands. Lorraine is her very best friend.
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SOPHIE
is a 6 year old Molly who was rescued in Michigan in 2019. Sophie is a master escape artist, so she stays at LMMR where we know she can be safely contained.
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ANTHEM
is a 14 year old John picked up by law enforcement as a stray in Dallas, Texas in 2012.
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ARTHUR
is a 14 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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MAPLE
is a 17 year old Molly mule rescued in Michigan in 2020.
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HATTIE
is a 13 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2014.
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BLACKIE
ADOPTED
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IN MEMORY OF LEROY
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SUZIE
is an 8 year old Molly mule rescued in Indiana in 2020.
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MAGDA
is a 10 year old mule rescued in New Jersey in 2019.
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CLEMENTINE
is a 20 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2018.
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AMANDA
is a 6 year old Molly mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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IN MEMORY OF THEODORE
was a 20 year old mule rescued in Texas in 2012.
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MAYBELLE
is an 11 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2015.
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MONTY
is an 8 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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DONOVAN
is a 14 year old John mule rescued in Texas in 2009.
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T.J.
is a 17 year old John mule rescued from a hoarding situation in Texas in 2019.
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ROWDY
is a 17 year old John mule rescued in Michigan in 2019.
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OSCAR
is a 6 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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RUDY
ADOPTED
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THEO
ADOPTED
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RADAR
is an 8 year old John mule rescued from a hoard in Texas in 2019.
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JACK
Jack is a 14 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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LEON
Leon is a 5 year old John mule rescued in Tennessee in 2020.
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IN MEMORY OF CORA
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GEORGIE
ADOPTED
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JOSIE, SPONSORED BY PATTI PORTER
is a 6 year old Molly mule rescued from a hoard in Texas in 2019.
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TILTY
is a 12 year old Molly mule rescued in Texas in 2009.
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BAMBI
ADOPTED
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WILLIAM
is a 9 year old John mule rescued in Chapel Hill, Tennessee in 2020.
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LUNA
Luna is a 2.5 year old Molly mule rescued from auction in 2020.
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CHARM
ADOPTED
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BRANDON
ADOPTED
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IN MEMORY OF TIMOTHY
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HENRY
Henry was a 30 year old horse who was rescued with an entire herd of donkeys by PVDR in 2020 and then transferred to our rescue. He had bilateral fibrotic myopathy in his back legs, so he required special care and lots of feed. Henry gently passed away at our Refuge in 2022.
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MARLA
is a 20 year old Molly mule rescued in Chapel Hill, Tennessee in 2020.
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IN MEMORY OF BECCA
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MARY
was a 20 year old Molly mule rescued in Aguanga, California in 2010. She was rescued with a broken leg that had already fused together. Although she was disabled, we kept her comfortable until she gently passed away in early 2023.
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IN MEMORY OF HOPE
was a 34 year old Molly mule rescued in Dansville, Michigan in 2019.
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IN MEMORY OF AMELIA
was a 24 year old Molly mule rescued in Hallsburg, Texas in 2019.
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IN MEMORY OF MARSHMALLOW
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IN MEMORY OF WILMA