Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Inc

My family visited PVDR just outside of San Angelo, Texas several times with my family. We were visiting from Ontario, Canada. The love and dedication directed to the donkeys was incredible. We toured with knowledgeable volunteers who patiently answered all our questions and told us all about the donkeys. The people that volunteer here, and the owners, are all amazing people with hearts of gold. We will continue our tradition to visit this special place as it always brings joy to our hearts to see all the wonderful, rescued donkeys.

PVDR has been an excellent steward of the resources they have been given. They have lovingly provided homes and care for the most overlooked and neglected animals in our time: the Donkey. I am a donor and have been for several years. While I can’t give a lot, I do what I can. PVDR has my everlasting respect.

We adopted two senior donkeys (Buttercup and Sparkle) from the VA location about three years ago. They were bonded brothers , one of which was special needs. They have been such a joy to have and make sure to let me know when it’s time for breakfast and supper! The folks at Peaceful Valley worked with me to help me fine the right fit and I couldn’t be happier. They take their mission very seriously and I’m so thankful for all the work they do to help the much under appreciated donkeys and mules.

We've adopted 2 donkeys from PVDR. They have been very helpful with donkey knowledge. Very well run organization

we have been involved with PVDR for the last 7 years as a satellite training/gentling facility in Santo Tx.
this is a wonderful organization to be part of. So glad to be a volunteer . David and Pam Wheat

I have visited this great organization’s facility several times in San Angelo and they are top notch. Lots of happy, friendly donkeys and a great staff. The director, Mark Meyers, is even a CNN Hero Award nominee. They do great, hard work for these abused and neglected animals.

I have helped support PVDR for a few years now, and spent a couple of hours at the ranch with a couple of volunteers who happen to be friends with my mom. I’m hoping to adopt a couple of donkeys from them someday. It is amazing what they are able to do for such a large number of donkeys! Each one is loved and cared for and trained for success in their new homes once they are adopted. Owning a donkey is a big commitment because they live for many years. PVDR will take back adopted donkeys if the owner is no longer able to care for them, ensuring these sweet animals don’t end up in a bad situation. I wish I lived in San Angelo - I’d be there every day volunteering!

My husband and I recently visited the San Angelo rescue facility to have a tour. The place is truly remarkable, as is the level of care that the nearly 1,000 donkeys receive there. The staff was very helpful and informative, and we got to see quite a lot of the place and the beautiful donkeys. The donkeys are all named, well fed, and given lots of medical care and attention. It was a beautiful thing to see.

We adopted our Donkey, Milo from PVDR, what a great place. Our Donkey is the best.
I want to adopt more but just don't have the room or time right now.

I received your donor package and was so shocked at the content. Seems to me that if you were close enough to take those pictures you should have called someone .......LIKE PETA!!! If the authorities don't take this seriously or it's not against the law then contact someone who can help right now!!! Not just take care of them after they have been tortured and abused! This kind of thing happens alot in these "cowboy" states. I used to think that cowboys were heros. THEY ARE NOT! THEY ARE STUPID men who have no respect for any living thing except themselves. Anyone including the crowds that attend these disgusting events are people who are raised that way and find this entertaining. States like Texas, Arizona, Wyoming and Montana raise their boys to be ass-----!

This charity is so impressive. The massive amount of Donkeys you have saved is so wonderful. The care they are receiving is so great. I love how the original owner loves them all so much. God Bless you and all those involved.

I have been volunteering as a satellite foster center for 6 years, and this rescue is amazing to work with. They always put the quality of life of the donkeys first! They take in so many donkeys in need, especially from owner surrender cases, where other rescues will not.

I’ve been donating for almost 20 years to peaceful valley. Mark and Amy have sacrificed a lot to save these donkeys that are so misunderstood. Donkeys care is a priority and a well deserved nonprofit to donate to.

Years ago I learned of PVDR's efforts to save wild burros from public lands and was so impressed. They have managed to rescue thousands of wild burros along with neglected, abused and abandoned donkeys relying exclusively on donations.

PVDR works tirelessly with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to remove wild burros before they are rounded up via helicopters. At the hands of the BLM, many equines are injured or die and ultimately auctioned for slaughter or worse, maimed in donkey roping events before being sent to slaughter.

Founder Mark Myers has been featured on CNN Heroes series, collaborated with Australian groups documenting Australia's cruel donkey roundups and even founded a donkey museum in Mesquite, Nevada to honor the equines that helped build & fight for America but are now ignored or mistreated.

Together with his wife Amy, they are dedicated to saving the lives of as many donkeys as possible and have grown their sanctuary into the largest donkey rescue operation in the world.

I tried to add your rescue group to my Amazon. And no longer accepts your charity?
I am concerned.
This is a flag for me since I donated to you during pandemic.

Can you reply to this please.

PVDR takes on rescue cases that no one else does or will. They have the ability to properly care for large amounts of donkeys, while also focusing on adopting out trained donkeys, and providing sanctuary to those who cannot be adopted out. They are responsible with providing castration, worming, dental and hoof care to every donkey when needed. I appreciate the work they do.

I have nothing but positive thoughts when I think of PVDR. Everyone’s number one priority is the donkeys. They host events, are quick to respond to questions, they make sure their donkeys have good homes, etc.
I have adopted from PVDR and have had an excellent experience.

The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is the largest and most respected organization of its kind in the United States. We have professional relationships with law enforcement, US Military, Agencies of the US Department of the Interior, NASA and various State and Local Agencies. All of our facilities are licensed and inspected by not only State Departments of Animal Health but are also frequently visited by University Veterinarian Programs. We have on-staff Veterinary Technicians as well as Equine Dental Specialists. As for fundraising, I realize it may seem counterproductive to send money in order to ask for money but in reality it works. It is tried and true. All nonprofits in all sectors do it and have done it for years. Donors can simply request to not receive the money solicitations. I am proud of what Amy and I have built over the past 22 years and stand behind everything that we have accomplished.

Too bad there is not a negative option.

I have had an experience of this "Rescue" and their "Lost Medow Mule Refuge ", which is on on same property and gets donations through both "rescues", and some of the staff members that chose to use their position to their own benefit to acquire animals. More especially when they go against their own policy's and rescue other animals and not just mules or donkeys.
When Mark and Amy first started they were very honest people when it came to the background of the animals.. but now when the background of animals are posted they are not 100% honest, and when I emailed them, they do not respond. Yes, I am sure that some of the animals have rough backgrounds.. but to deliberately lie about an animals background just to get funding is wrong. And the people that assume they are telling the truth and donate to an organization that has to lie to get donations are blinded by what is actually going on.

Also, if you are going to take another person's animals then get the facts first.

I can only hope that whoever decides to donate to a "RESCUE" that has gone against their rules and goals thinks twice about it... especially when their rules and regulations are stated on their website.

I hope Mark and Amy see what is going on at their rescue that was once built on honesty and actually caring for nothing but the donkeys and mules they rescued. And they can get back to basics before their current staff runs it into the ground with their lies and deceitfulness.

My wife and I have donated to PVDR for a few years now and have found them responsive to questions we have asked. I also thought that according to Charity Navigator their fundraising rake-off was a bit high (we support another animal charity here in California that has a much, much lower rake-off and I have spoken personally with the director and we will continue to support them); however, we believe in what they are doing and so we are willing to accept the necessity of third-party fundraising. You can't take care of abused donkeys and raise money at the same time.

I have requested and received photographs and hand-written cards from their staff about our adopted donkey "Patty". This kind if responsive personal communication is enough for us. We would rather be taken advantage of by a fraudulent set-up than miss an opportunity to help a worthy cause. That's the deal we have made with our Creator and we'll let Him tell us later whether we were fools to do it or not.

God bless PVDR - if a donkey carried Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, then a donkey must be a very special animal!!!

STOP SENDING MONEY! I hate that, you are a charity, you should not send money to get donations. I am far more likely to donate when you don't send money, making me think you are squandering people's donations. People donate to help the donkeys not for you to send our hard earned money to other people. I will not donate again if the request comes with money

I am a new donor to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue however I am now very concerned where the money is going. Today I received a letter asking for a donation with a $1 bill enclosed. This practice does not make sense....if you are asking for money why send money! I stop sending donations to charities that send money. I’m sending back the $1 and will not donate to this cause again.

I admire this charity for loving and taking care of donkeys, especially abused ones. God bless the Myers for helping in very difficult circumstances. I do have a major complaint, though. Why am I getting so many coins attached to the donation form? Sometimes there are even Kennedy half-dollars attached. Don't these precious donkeys deserve the money for their care? Mark says many times he'll have to let some donkeys go if the donations don't come in. That's why I'm so disturbed about sending coins in the mail.Use the money for the needy animals! I emailed Mark and asked about their donation card practices but just received an automated email saying donations are well-spent. So I emailed him again but no response. Why not respond to a concerned donor? It casts doubts about how the charity is run. I think they need a re-do in terms of money management.

DO NOT DONATE TO THIS RESCUE!!! Animals are kept in tiny enclosures living in several inches of their own feces and urine. There would often by 2-3 donkeys kept in a small (12' x 12') holding pen for long-term care. There were far too many animals for the amount of space they had. The donkeys and other animals on the property were not receiving adequate care. The "training" they did for wild donkeys was a joke. The food was sub-par and often the hay was covered in mold. They do not have adequate space or time to care for the amount of animals they had. I believe they have 12 acres but would keep over 100 animals on the property. I don't think more than a couple animals ever got to see fresh grass. The animals always appeared sickly and unkept. There was not enough barn space to keep the animals dry when it rained. The only time the property was cleaned was when there was a donor dinner. Donors won't get the full picture or story. Don't trust them, don't donate to their organization, and don't adopt from them. The money obviously is spent towards things that do not include the care of their animals. Overall, if you want to donate to an animal rescue organization, you're better off donating towards a place that actually takes care of the animals they're responsible for.

Listen, it takes a lot of time and money to do what Mark and Amy are doing. And when the coronavirus crisis occurred, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Inc, naturally took a hit with folks who were struggling that could not continue their sponsorship. What did Mark and Amy do? Immediately increased their own commitment to their cause. That shows me how selfless they are. STILL happy to be able to help out this organization.

A mailing with 8 cents attached (1 nickel and 3 pennies) makes me shake my head and wonder what is going on. I give to many animal charities. But Peaceful Valley fund raising by sending actual money to a potential donor is ridiculous and makes me not even want to look at the mailing or donate money. Okay, so you open the envelope so you don't throw money in the trash, but it turns my stomach because it seems like such a contrived fund raising technique.
Who approves the format and frequency of these mailings? I would rather receive one mailing per year, than dozens during the year with money attached. Too frequent mailings means they are spending more on fundraising than taking care of the donkeys.
Spend the money you are wasting on these mailings and give it to the donkeys!!!!
My one star rating is for the wasteful fund raising techniques used by Peaceful Valley, and does not refer to the actual care the donkeys receive.

I support PETA, ASPCA and Smile. I have read several reviews, some critical of how the donations are spent. I often wonder, when you are sitting in your comfortable home, making critical statements about the founders and main supporters of Peaceful Valley. Just send a check and shut up, they are doing what people like you and I should be doing to protect all animals. "But we dont" Were are too lazy , too tired, too self absorbed, unimpacted by the cruelty to the animal kingdom as a whole. I will do what I can do by sending a check for $100. All animals deserve better than what we humans give them.

Apropos of the Floyd review of 2012. Guess what showed up in my mail today--another heart breaking story bout Floyd and it is April 2019. I am not going to send my $ to the fund raising arm of this for profit agency that is doing the fundraising for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. It hurts the very caring people (and the donkeys) at the various Peaceful Valley facilities facilities as they will receive less on the dollar than do the fundraisers.

I’ve been a donor for many years. I remember when they were in Tehachapi, California and had open house days. Donkeys are fabulous animals, and though I have had horses I have always wanted a donkey. Donkeys are what makes mules the wonderful intelligent animals they are!

I love Mark for his compassion and for his time he donates to this incredible rescue. I am grateful to be able to support this rescue.

I dont have a lot to donate but try to give a little ever chance i can. In the surrounding ares where i live there are quite a few wild burros. 50 years ago there were even burro barbeques
Thank goodness that ended. But the plight of the burro is still very real. I am very thankful for mark and his resolve to help as many burros as he can. I will continue to donate as long as I can and hope many others will do the same. These gentle creatures need all the help they can get.

Two stars on Charity Navigator is not a good recommendation. I have donated in the past several times, and am disappointed to see theses stats. It appears that way too much goes to fund raising, other charities do much better. Why not PVDR? Their CEO is way below the average salary of others, Is there not a better way to fund raise? It gives the appearance of something not quite adding up.
I love the donkeys and may donate again, I will have to think about it. There are other donkey rescues....

Like many folks who love animals and want to help, I take the steps to research that my hard-earned dollars are truly being used to help make a difference. Mark Meyers, his family and devoted staff are super stars in this regard. Despite how busy they are and the long hours they work in harsh conditions, I have actually received a hand-written note from Mark thanking me for a recent donation. That is class. He is a man of great integrity, passion for this cause and an excellent business person who has built an organization that effectively creates positive change for the lives of thousands of donkeys, burros, mules, and similar equines (even some goats!) He's a hero in my eyes. Thank you, Mark, and your team.

I have donated to this charity for quite some time. I own and love donkeys, and they do not deserve the neglect and abuse that they often receive.
I admire what the Meyer's are doing and have some understanding of the commitment and the funds that it takes.
I think they are a very worthy charity. One review was commenting about their $90,000 salary as excessive. I think it is very reasonable given their hard work and devotion to their cause.

I live on the other side of the country in Virginia where we do have animal abuse and neglect problems like every other place (i.e., too many!) but not so much of donkeys, who as one of the other reviewers said, are stodgy and not glamorous. Very true, and so they need help even more! The high fundraising costs @ PVDR are unfortunate and I am sure Mark and Amy are the first ones who would like to have a better solution, but it is what it is. They don't have the time to do it themselves; what is important that they are out there every day giving all they have in time and devotion to the hands-on work. I don't think $90,000 annually for two people is a lot. I am sure this just covers their home, utilities and absolute necessities. Why, I'm sure they don't even have time to spend money on anything else. I am a volunteer animal (pets) rescuer and TNR practitioner myself and I understand and admire what they do.

I really admire Mark and Amy Meyers for spending their lives helping animals as stodgy and unglamorous as the donkeys and burros. They care deeply for these animals and I want to help them. However, I have a huge problem with the amount ot money they spend on fundraising. According to Charity Navigator, they spend more money on fundraising (46%) than they spend on the donkeys (44%). This is unacceptable! I sent them $300 so far this year. It bugs me to think that nearly half of my money went into the pockets of the over-priced middle men.

After checking Charity Navigator, I have to say they do spend a high percentage of their money soliciting funds. I realize that it is a vicious circle. That you have to spend money to get money but perhaps they need to evaluate their 'target audience'. I did find the heart tugging story of Floyd a bit heavy handed but lots of animal rescues do that. I was going to send them a donation but when you see the high percentage of income used for fund raising it is disheartening.

I followed PVDR as a donor for years before I finally volunteered at their last open house. These people couldn't be more dedicated to one of the most overlooked animals, the donkey. They run a huge, nation wide organization, serving thousands of abandoned and abused donkeys. They spend countless days driving thousands of miles to pick up and care for these domestic and wild donkeys. At their facilities, the donkeys receive life long care and boarding. No one is getting rich off this project, it is done strictly for the love and dedication to these misunderstood animals. I think this is a great non profit and they deserve your donation.

I am very choosy about who I give money to. I researched and found these people to truly care and help donkeys and a few other critters. You don't hear of many rescue's going above and beyond as they do at PVDR. My goal is to visit them in person one day and meet them and all those wonderful donkeys. Moneys goes to help the animals and thats what counts. Hopefully they will be able to continue this wonderful rescue and continue to help donkeys everywhere. It's hard work both physically and mentally. It takes special people to do what they do. They should be proud to call themselves rescuer's. A wonderful way to help is to have a automatic amount taken from your credit card monthly. It gets done without having to think about it, it's a good donation for a great cause.

My love of donkeys lead me to PVDR and all the great work that they do. It's something special when you can see your donated monies at work. Mark Meyers, family, staff, and Burr Collies run a first rate operation.

I hope that people will consider that more money may need to go towards fundraising when the need and the cause are less well known. When you look at the amazing work this charity does and how impactful they are in rescuing abused donkeys, I believe this charity is very worthy of donations. I am truly grateful that Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue works tirelessly to provide a safe haven for the ever increasing number of donkeys in need.

Who would think donkeys? But when it comes to abandoned and abused animals, no creature should have to live in deplorable conditions. Mar and Amy Myers have taken it upon themselves, traveling throughout the country to rescue these beautiful animals and give them a chance to heal physically as well as emotionally and live out their lives with dignity and without the fear of torture. While on a mission visiting one of their sanctuaries in Florida, Mark and Amy made a special visit to us to show their personal appreciation as donors. It is something we didn't expect, nor was it necessary, but it demonstrates their heartfelt thanks for all the support that they receive. You can be sure that your donations are going to a great cause and Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is run by truly dedicated people.

I appreciate what this rescue does--donkeys are so smart and not appreciated enough. I do wish that a smaller percentage went to fundraising--I get so many envelopes, complete with postage stamps--but the founders are not taking huge salaries and I like that.

I’ve donated before and I almost did again until I saw that sappy sentence on the envelope: ”I care about donkeys; Please tell Floyd I care.” I hate crap like this. Sappy story on the front of the envelope it was mailed in to.. This is a shame - way too much money coming up with sappy fund raising stuff and not enough on what’s really important. Oh what the heck, I’ll send in $5.

I love donkeys and want to help in any way that I can. I do see that quite a bit is spent on fundraising if you look at the 990 form. I believe it was over $600,000. Also, if one divides the number of donkeys rescued by the total expenses for the year, it comes to about $6,100 per donkey. I am glad to see so many donkeys being helped by this organization although the cost per donkey seems high to me. (Although I admit this is an uneducated observation and may be a completely reasonable cost).

I adore donkeys and donate to many animal charities, but am concerned that PVDR is spending far too much money on fundraising and not enough on the program itself.

How I initially heard about PVDR, I don't recall. As a manager and as a business owner I was very impressed with what Mark Meyers had achieved in only 3 years. He had to have had a business background. Because I wanted to know more I emailed him, and he responded. He did formerly own his own business. I went to Charity Navigator and found nothing at all , but I was so impressed with his results that I became a donor.

Since that time several years ago, I continue to be amazed at Mark and Amy's passion, zeal, and dedication to donkeys. Even the children are dedicated to the donkeys. I continue to be impressed by Mark's leadership and entrepreneurial skills as he has developed and defined new ways to find homes for adoptable donkeys through his satellite programs and the ways in which he has found to care for donkeys as economically as possible.

The man thinks, and he produces extraordinary results. I have worked with dogs and with horses and understand the level of commitment that he has. Animals are 24/7 physically and emotionally hard work. I wish that I could find PVDR some huge donors, people with a large capacity for charities, to help Mark and Amy financially to endow their work for the future.

While I personally donate to about 5 charities, PVDR is the only one that gets an automatic check every single month. I only wish it could be more. And now I see that PVDR is included in Charity Navigator ratings and is improving its financials each year.

For the Meyers family, PVDR is all about love in the highest sense of the word. I hope that everyone reading my review will dig deep into their pockets and help PVDR reach its goals.