When Jennifer Ewald embarked upon adopting her first two donkeys 15 years ago, she did not foresee that it would put her on a path to launch a rescue and sanctuary. Ewald was so smitten that she founded a 501(c)(3) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, called The Farmette, where donkeys find safety from kill lots and slaughter houses overseas. “I was a college professor who was working on tenure at my institution,” said Ewald, who works at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. “I was busy with academic stuff and enjoying having my own animals. I never dreamed of doing anything like this.” At The Farmette, donkey lives matter. They receive health care, dental care, and, eventually, in some cases, are rehomed in pairs at foster farms. “Donkeys want to be with other donkeys, but they also love people,” Ewald said. “They’re much more gentle, intelligent creatures than people realize. They are …