Ears Up! Samson Recaps a Very Loud Year

Illinois Horse Rescue
Dec 31, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 1

🫏 Hee-hawww everyone!

It's me, Samson, checking in with your Straight From the Rescues' Mouth! I'm everyone's our favorite donkey, senior snack enthusiast, and unpaid emotional support animal for the humans.

Apparently, I have been “braying a lot” this year. Which is funny, because 2025 gave us plenty to bray about. Storms. Successes. Hay. Drama. Accomplishments. So I was strongly encouraged (again, by the humans 🙄) to keep this one readable. Thus… bullet points. You’re welcome.

But before anything else (and I mean ANYTHING) let’s get this straight: THANK You to our donors, supporters, volunteers, adopters, and the people who like, share, comment, and tell their friends about us. My humans say it all the time, and shockingly, they are correct: none of this happens without you. Not the rescues. Not the repairs. Not the hay. Not even my breakfast.

Okay. Deep breath. Here’s the chaos that was 2025:

🐴 Since we were established in April 2011, we have rescued 1,394 animals. Yes, I counted.
🏡 1,039 animals have found their forever homes. (cue happy braying)
🐾 We currently care for 130 animals who live here full-time and eat like they’ve never seen food before.
🌪️ We survived two big storms that damaged shelters and fencing. Weather was rude. Very rude. Repairs were made. Everyone stayed safe.
💔 We were hoping 2025 would FINALLY be Corona’s year, but he has now been waiting over 5 years for a forever home. He is still wonderful. Still deserving. Still waiting. (Just saying.)
🌾 We hit our hay fundraiser goal, filled the hay barn, and avoided the winter panic spiral. I personally approved every bale.
🐔 We rehabbed a chicken coop AND built two mobile chicken coops, because apparently the chickens are “on the go” now.
🐎 After 7+ years of hoping, planning, and muttering under human breaths, we accomplished a HUGE goal: rescuing horses directly from auction. I brayed very loudly about this.
🐶 We also held our first Fall Puppy Photo Shoot, which involved tiny chaos, floppy ears, and approximately zero puppies sitting still. Humans want to do it again. I support this.

That said (donkey honesty moment 🫏):

Rescue work is ongoing, and support of all sizes still matters deeply. Daily care, emergencies, and future rescues continue because of many generous hearts working together.

🎉 Watch out, 2026!

We’re coming in with more goals, bigger plans, and probably more braying (sorry, not sorry).

Until next time,

Samson

Chief Brayer & Donkey of Distinction

Straight from the Rescues’ Mouths