These are just a few of the 25 wild burrows that were transported to the Scenic, Ariz. branch of the PVDR last week from Northern Nevada. Submitted photo.
The Scenic, AZ Satellite Adoption Center of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue operated by Joan Dunkle and Fred Clark once again acted as a transfer station for burros. These burros were part of the final wild burro round up at the Sheldon Refuge near Reno NV.
US Fish and Wildlife Service brought two separate loads of burros on Monday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 19. These burros were removed from the Sheldon Refuge in Northern Nevada. The first load contained 14 females and yearlings along with 4 babies ranging from 1 month to 3 months old. The second load held 11 male burros of “jacks”.
The donkeys were surprisingly calm and some were even social allowing for a pet and taking food from staff’s hand. The babies all had tufts of hair on their forehead reminding you of the old Pompadour hair style.
On Wednesday, Mark Meyers, founder of PVDR, arrived with his team and two large animal hauler semi-trailers, to complete the transfer of these animals to the main PVDR ranch in Texas along with Zac Williams from PVDR and their Burro Collies. The world famous Bürro Cøllies are a highly trained pack of dogs specializing in the capture and herding of donkeys. Working nationwide, these dogs are called into service on rescue cases involving domestic donkeys as well as wild burros.
PVDR has been involved in this project since 2003 and has participated in 10 roundups and removals. This is the last roundup that PVDR will be doing at the Sheldon refuge. This year’s gather will include the removal of 101 burros in total. Since 2003, 422 donkeys have been removed and from those donkeys there have been 122 babies born at PVDR.
These burros were introduced into this region by Basque shepherds many decades ago. They are of a French strain and are heavily built with dark, shaggy coats. Because of the little interaction with people, these burros are easily gentled and PVDR has placed many in adoptive homes across the country.
With over 3,000 donkeys, PVDR prides itself on the quality of care that each donkey receives. All donkeys are micro chipped, vaccinated, de-wormed and the males are castrated upon arrival.
PVDR works with the Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife as well as state and local law enforcement all across the country. PVDR specializes in abuse, neglect and abandonment cases as well as wild burro capture where the burros are under threat. It is funded entirely by private donations.
If you are interested seeing the donkeys and in learning more about adopting or sponsoring one of the donkeys at the Scenic, AZ Satellite, please contact Joan and Fred at (928) 347- 4506, or you can check out the Peaceful Valley web site at www.donkeyrescue.org.
We would like to visit do you have an address?
928-347-4506 It’s best to call Joan and Fred, the address may not do you any good, they will give you the directions and times you can go visit. It is a wonderful place, Enjoy!