Hopland donkey rescue takes center stage in new reality TV series debuting Jan. 3 on ABC

RON KING, star of a new 17-episode TV reality series called “Donkey King,” set to premiere on ABC Jan. 3, sat on a metal folding chair against a fence at Oscar’s Place, his donkey rescue in Hopland. Six donkeys munched hay in the large barn’s holding pen. Occasionally the youngest would approach King for a quick pet or a confidence boost. Outside, the weather was about to turn to a solid week of rain over the holidays.

“Donkeys are more like dogs,” King said. “It has to do with the construction of their brain and limbic system. They really like to hang out with humans.”