OklahomaHorses Magazine November 2023

8 OklahomaHorses • November / December 2023 Looking for Love Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Finds Forever Homes by Kelsey Warren-Bryant | Photos courtesy of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue M ore than two decades ago, Texans Mark and Amy Meyers decid- ed 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. Veterinary technician Vanessa Braley prepares to feed an eager patient in the medical bay at the San Angelo, Texas, location of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. This young donkey is ready to eat after having just undergone surgery performed by the Peaceful Valley vet staff.