LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — It all began on a whim. It ended with Jay Ellis and Stacy Ellis sheltering 12 homeless donkeys — and loving every minute of it.

For the last year, the couple have operated a satellite branch of the Texas-based Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue on their 10-acre spread south of Lawrence. The Ellises take in donkeys that have been rehabilitated and trained by staff at Peaceful Valley's headquarters in San Angelo, Texas, and they match the animals with new owners.

Stacy Ellis, who works as a physician's assistant in Olathe, first became involved with the nonprofit last April. She...