by Kelsey Warren-Bryant | Photos courtesy of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
More than two decades ago, Texans Mark and Amy Meyers decided to adopt one sweet donkey named Izzy as their first donkey pet. That decision eventually blossomed into the formation of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. With 56 locations across 48 states, the certified nonprofit organization is the largest donkey rescue effort in the nation.
So how does a married couple from San Angelo, Texas, go from adopting one donkey to operating a national donkey rescue effort employing 50 staff members and housing more than 3,000 donkeys? Like most worthy pursuits, it required years of effort and sacrifice. With a little bit of vision and a lot of hard work, one couple has managed to change the lives of thousands of donkeys across the United States.
From Humble Beginnings
The Meyerses made a comfortable living in the construction industry. They took a chance on Izzy and welcomed her to their home. It didn’t take any time for them to fall in love with Izzy, and that love soon extended to all donkeys.
Few rescues in the United States accept donkeys, and even fewer specialize in them. So when the Meyerses found out about donkeys in their own community undergoing severe neglect or abuse, they could not turn a blind eye.
The couple opened their home to donkey after donkey. One by one, the four-hoofed family grew, but so did the costs of care and demands of time on the humans. By the time they had taken in their twenty-fifth donkey, they knew it was time for a change.
In 2000, they decided to pursue their passion full time while also potentially helping to fill the rescue gap for donkeys as a species. They sold their construction businesses, and shortly thereafter, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue was born. The mission? To provide a loving and safe environment for abused or neglected donkeys and to adopt out as many as possible into perfect forever homes.
A Magical Moment in Perry
One of the Peaceful Valley locations is only a short drive from the Oklahoma City metro in the small town of Perry. Ted and Shelia Loring, the Peaceful Valley adoption managers in Perry, have worked to adopt out numerous donkeys into forever homes. One of these donkeys was Tinkerbell, who graced their path in the summer of 2022.
Tinkerbell was a white-maned beauty who came to the Perry location with two other donkeys. The three were soon transported to the headquarters in Texas to undergo training to eventually become adoptable. Tinkerbell’s two companions needed some time to adjust to life on the ranch. Tinkerbell, however, flew through the training just like the fairy she was named after.
Before summer ended, Tinkerbell made her way back to Perry and was adopted into her own loving forever home. The staff at Peaceful Valley couldn’t have been prouder of their little Miss Tinkerbell.
About Adoption
So what kind of process do donkeys such as Tinkerbell and her friends go through to be deemed adoptable? Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue has two types of locations — sanctuaries and adoption centers. Sanctuaries house donkeys who are not quite ready for adoption for various reasons. Some donkeys are wild and come to the rescue with zero training or no previous human interaction. Other donkeys were once pets who were abandoned or severely neglected. Those donkeys might need medical care and a lot of love to rebuild their trust of humans.
Whatever the case, there are lots of reasons for some donkeys to be at a sanctuary, and in some cases, to remain at a sanctuary for extended periods of time. Donkeys housed at a sanctuary are allowed to graze freely under close supervision from the staff.
Adoption centers are just what their name implies. Donkeys go there when they are ready to be adopted into loving homes. Donkeys housed at an adoption center have already undergone evaluation and training at a sanctuary. Before being considered for adoption, there are certain things donkeys must be able to do. They must accept a halter, walk on a lead, stand tied, and pick up all four hooves for trimming.
Adoption is an essential part of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue’s mission. Simply put, there is only a finite amount of space on Peaceful Valley ranches. If donkeys are not adopted out, then no room can be made to bring new donkeys in.
How Do You Adopt a Donkey?
You’re thinking about adopting a donkey? First of all, consider your space and how much time you have to devote to the animal. You should have enough fenced land for your donkey to be comfortable. You should also expect a pet companion.
Donkeys are naturally affectionate creatures who bond with their human families. You will need to have the time to give your donkey all the love and affection it deserves.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, go to the Peaceful Valley website to learn more at https://donkeyrescue.org/adoption/.
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in Perry is one of several adoption centers.
What If You Can’t Adopt?
For many reasons, you might not be able to adopt a donkey, but there are still plenty of ways to get involved in donkey rescue. Most Peaceful Valley locations operate as either an adoption center or a sanctuary, and both require volunteers to help care for the donkeys. Volunteers are a crucial part of the everyday operations of the rescue. They help to lighten the load of the staff and expand the reach of the rescue.
If you can’t volunteer, perhaps you can help financially. Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue operates 100 percent on donations. Approximately 3,000 donkeys nationwide equate to a lot of bales of hay to buy, not to mention medical care. If you would like to help provide for donkeys in need, go to the donation page at https://donkeyrescue. org/donate.
