The Charlotte Observer reports the male donkey and female emu were rescued from Kershaw, South Carolina, when their owner suddenly vanished last week. Jennifer Gordon of nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue near Charlotte says the owner also left behind other animals.

She says the shelter, which has not yet named the animals, tried separating them. But the donkey cried and the emu became frantic. “They like to cuddle and even sleep together,” Gordon told The Charlotte Observer.

She says the donkey doesn’t even like the shelter’s other donkeys. She says they can’t be separated, so someone needs to adopt both animals and ‘‘that may not be easy.’’

The pair are named “Jack” and “Diane”: “A story where two creatures with different looks, backgrounds and even breeds learn to stand together, protect each other and love,” the nonprofit wrote on its Facebook page.

“We realized today the donkey and the emu need to stay together. They are very bonded. The vet will be out soon to check him, held and do vaccines. Any donations toward their care are appreciated.”