This page is dedicated to all the donkeys and burros who have suffered through countless decades of abuse and neglect through the hands of mankind and in the wilds through environmental stress and harsh conditions. As an advanced society, it still amazes me the amount of donkeys that continue to live in backyards with 12"-14" long "house slipper" hooves. Some of the same donkeys are so obese, their owners (who claim they love animals) are subjecting them to a shorter and painful life due to laminitis or grass founder. Keeping or allowing a donkey to become so obese that the fat pads are evident on the animal's rump, ribs and neck, even to the point of the crest breaking over. This is abuse!! In other areas, donkeys are still used for recreational roping by cowboys who call this sport "practice roping" in lieu of cattle. I've also heard of many instances where people sell their home and include their donkeys with the sale of the land, with little regards to the family who "inherits" the donkeys. Quite often the new family has no expertise in the care, feeding and maintenance of the donkeys, and the neglect continues. Most people don't realize a donkey can live up to 30 to 40 years, and sometimes more. When owners grow tired of their donkeys, they quite often end up in livestock auctions where their fate is usually not certain and many times they end up being sold to killer buyers and ropers. What once was a friendly, affectionate pet may ultimately end up in tragic and painful conditions. Please make sure your will or trust (and next of kin) have specific instructions for your donkeys. Speak with your friends and relatives and express your views about your donkeys should something happen to you. You might need to find a qualified estate planning lawyer to draw up the necessary documents which clearly state who should care for your donkeys if you become unable to do so yourself. You may also choose to leave some money to the caretaker with the intention that it be used to provide for the donkey. Many areas across the country have shelters, sanctuaries and rescue centers designed for, and specializing in, donkeys and burros. Recently I had the privledge of visiting the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue located in Tehachapi, California. Mark Meyers has dedicated his life to rescuing donkeys and burros, and equally important, educating the public. A tour of his incredible facility and viewing hundreds of donkeys and burros was breathtaking. Dozens of donkeys surrounded us, others (because they were still wild or the victims of abuse), stood further back with a cautious eye. Every donkey was recognized by Mark, and every donkey had a story. Some were blind, a few crippled from years of "house slipper" hooves, many were rescued from livestock auctions, and some were seized by animal control due to neglect. As we listened to these countless stories, we realized how important our job is to continue to educate the public on the care, training, proper feeding and housing of the donkey. Mark Meyers and his friendly staff at the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue are special, compassionate people, maintaining high standards for donkeys which live out their lives after (in some instances) decades of abuse. There are other rescue facilities across the country, but should you wish to contact the PVDR, their website is www.DonkeyRescue.org | 
Vintage photo from early 1900's showing a VERYyoung donkey already trained to pull a cart.
Excessively overweight donkey, probably a victim of too much pasture. Once the neck gets too fat, the crest breaks over, hence a broken crest. Quite often the donkey has foundered in addition to chronic hoof abscesses. 
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