Two Louis Trichardt residents who have cared for stray donkeys at the municipal pound for the past two months, burst into tears at an auction when they realised they did not have enough money to buy all the animals, it was reported on Thursday.

Esme Mostert and Helena van den Heever told Beeld on Wednesday that they had thought the donkeys would be sold at lower prices.

Some of the animals were sold for R1,600 each, although donkeys usually cost around R200 in informal settlements.

Bidding on Wednesday started at R300 per animal.

"When I realised I didn't have enough money to buy them all, I burst into tears," Mostert said.

Beeld reported that the two women had provided water, hay and carrots for 37 donkeys because the Makhado municipality was prepared to give the animals only two bales of hay a day.

At the auction, Mostert and her friends bought 9 of 35 donkeys, for around R6,000.

She said she paid R775 for Halfoor (Half Ear) and R400 for Oupa (Grandfather).

"He's old and so loving. Now he has a good home until the end of his days."

The other seven donkeys were distributed among like-minded friends who live on smallholdings outside the town.