Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue - The Wild Burro Project

The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is currently working on several wild burro projects in conjunction with the Federal Government. These projects include:

Private Ranches along the Mexican Border
The Mojave National Preserve
Death Valley National Park
NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications
US Army Fort Irwin
BLM Sale Burro Project

In order to accommodate the influx of wild burros into the PVDR system, we have training facilities and transportation hubs in both Texas and Central Virginia. All healthy wild jennets will remain in Texas until the time they are ready for adoption. All jacks will also be kept in Texas to await castration during the cooler months.

The current budget for this project is >$10,000,000 over the next five years.

10 Year Project Estimate
note: estimate was made with PVDR using outside contractors. We are now using PVDR employees instead.

Wild Burro Management:

All donkeys entering PVDR’s system are given two unique methods of electronic identification.
Donkey’s information is entered into a proprietary online data system and their whereabouts, medical charts, and other pertinent information updated regularly.
PVDR’s main facility is capable of housing 1,000 donkeys at any time.
PVDR maintains over 20 sanctuaries, where donkeys that are not ready for adoption canenjoy a sense of freedom while receiving the same medical care as those on the ranch.
Texas A&M veterinary school performs castrations on all male donkeys, twice per year
PVDR has a strict “No Breeding” policy

Why do the burros need to be removed?

Burros are a non-native species in the United States and can quickly overpopulate our deserts. Destruction to ecosystems, competition with indigenous species and damage to Native American sites are examples of the problems caused by lack of proper management.

How are the burros caught?

PVDR uses the most humane techniques to ensure that the burro’s first encounter with humans is not overly stressful. This makes them much easier to gentle and accept people. Using self catching traps at water sources is our preferred method.

What happens to the burros after they are caught?

All burros are given a RFID chip with a 15 digit number for identification purposes. They will have their blood drawn and tested for common equine diseases. Once cleared they will be safely transported to one of PVDR’s training facilities and made ready for adoption throughout the United States. Any burros with medical conditions that would make adoption difficult will be placed on PVDR’s main facility in San Angelo, Texas to receive medical care for life. Any burros deemed too wild or aggressive for adoption will be placed on one of Peaceful Valley’s sanctuaries, where they will have the sense of freedom while still receiving the same medical care as those on our main facility.

How can I adopt one of these historic burros?

Simply go to donkeyadoption.org, read our adoption policy and fill out our online application.

Where will these burros be available for adoption?

PVDR has Satellite Adoption Centers all across the United States. We will be transporting the gentled burros to these facilities as they become ready for adoption.

Click Here for a facility near you.