Dumping Grounds of Texas

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Less Than Worthless

UPDATE: JULY 13, 2012   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click here for a copy of the 2012 Drought Press Release
Click here for a copy of the Drought Newsletter
Click here for the Texas Drought Press Release

Texas is experiencing its worst drought since records began being kept in 1895.  Lack of rainfall has decimated the hay production and standing water tank levels throughout Texas.  Donkeys are especially suffering as they cannot be sold when the owner is no longer able to feed and water them.  This has created a huge problem in donkey abandonment.

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue's Texas Division is working 7 days per week trying to keep up with the many rescue cases submitted each day.  We desperately need monetary help to continue to provide these services.  ###

When we began our work in Texas, we had intended to catch some wild burros along the Rio Grande to prevent them from being shot.  Once we had set up our facilities, we found that Texas had a much bigger problem.

Donkeys are the only livestock animal that does not increase in value when it is castrated.  Cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats all gain in market value when the males are castrated.  The need for stud animals is actually very small and having too many whole males of any species is extremely problematic for ranchers.  Male donkeys in Texas are without value with or without their testicles.

As in many states, when an animal is taken to auction it must have a blood test performed to ensure that it is negative Coggins.  This test costs between $15 and $25.  Jacks and Geldings seldom fetch even $5 at most auctions thereby costing the owner more money to take the animal to auction than the animal is worth.

The solution that is being taken by more and more people across Texas is to simply abandon their unwanted and worthless donkeys along a stretch of empty road.  These donkeys are usually discovered by law enforcement and we are called.  Ranging in numbers from 3 to 16, we have made these rescues all across the Lone Star State.

In all of our other facilities, the ratio between jacks and jennets as always been a constant 1:1.  In Texas the ratio is 8:1, jennets have a higher value as guardian animals.  Many of the jacks are emaciated because they were kept off grazing, saving it for the animals that have financial worth.

It costs PVDR approximately $1000 for every donkey brought into our rescue system.  This includes transportation, testing, vaccines, de-worming, micro-chipping, feed and care for 12 months.  Jacks cost us an additional $160 for the castration.  Of course this amount is only relevant for healthy donkeys, medical issues can cost a great deal more.

PVDR feels that these jacks are worth saving, we sincerely hope that you will too. 

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