DICKINSON, N.D. — Maybe you’re looking for something a little more unique than a cat or a dog for a pet. Maybe you’re “in the dog house” with your significant other, and looking for a way to bring back the sass in their step. Maybe you want to ensure that a wild animal ends up with a safe home.
Whatever your motivation, you could be the next proud owner of one of 100 wild burros being sold by the federal Bureau of Land Management.
The auction, called “Brayin’ across the Dakotas,” opens Monday, April 6.
While most Bureau of Land Management auctions involve a competitive bidding process, this burro auction is timed to start April 6 — the first person to bid a flat fee of $125 on each burro claims the animal.
Those wishing to bid need to create a login and complete an application in order to bid.
Successful bidders can pick up their burros on May 30 in Richardton or Jamestown, North Dakota, or or Belle Fourche, South Dakota, according to a public notice from the Bureau of Land Management.
Most of the burros available for sale through the auction were captured in the Havazu, Arizona, area, and are largely between 1 and 13 years old. Both neutered male and female burros — called geldings and jennies — are available.
Most of the animals are labeled as untouched, meaning the animals have not had any training.
The adoption process isn’t quite as simple as picking out your favorite burro from a set of photos, though. Each bidder has to file an application, verify their eligibility, and also submit a veterinarian-approved letter to the department a year after purchasing the animal to prove that it’s received adequate care.
For wildlife enthusiasts, though, the opportunity might be just too rare to miss. For more information, visit
or call 406-720-0385.
The Dickinson Press is southwest ND’s community-driven, professional and hyper-local newspaper since 1883.