Peaceful Valley's Mission is to provide a safe and loving environment to all donkeys that have been abused, neglected or abandoned and wild burros under threat of destruction.
Peaceful Valley strives to provide solutions to the many problems that plague these wonderful creatures by providing ethical stewardship over the funds that are necessary to fulfill this goal.
Peaceful Valley, with its nationwide network of Ranch Facilities and Satellite Adoption Centers, is the country's leader in Rescue, Sanctuary, Adoption and Education.
Together, we can improve the Plight of the American Donkey.
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
Ethics Statement
At Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, we are committed to fostering a respectful, compassionate, and inclusive environment for everyone we interact with, including our employees, volunteers, contractors, partners, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and the donkeys we care for. Our ethics statement serves as a guiding document for maintaining the highest standards in our daily work, interactions, and the long-term mission of donkey rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption. Our ethical principles are outlined below:
1. Respect and Humane Treatment of Donkeys
We believe every donkey deserves a safe, compassionate, and nurturing environment. Our commitment to their well-being is reflected in all areas of care, from physical health and mental stimulation to social interactions within our rescue facilities. Donkeys in our care are provided with appropriate, gentle handling, high-quality medical care, and enrichment opportunities to thrive regardless of their location within the PVDR system and regardless of who is assisting with their handling.
2. Donkeys as Ambassadors for Adoption
We see every donkey in our care as an ambassador for adoption and a symbol of the positive impact that rescue and rehabilitation can have on their lives. We take pride in our adoption program, which is designed to match donkeys with loving, responsible homes. Through education, community engagement, and transparency, we work to inspire prospective adopters to understand and value the unique bond that comes from rescuing and adopting donkeys.
3. Responsible and Respectful Collaboration with Other Rescues
Our commitment extends to a responsible and respectful collaboration with other donkey rescues and welfare organizations. We strive to foster partnerships that advance our shared mission, allowing us to collectively serve more donkeys in need. We approach each partnership with integrity, ensuring open communication and mutual respect to strengthen our collective impact.
4. Respectful Interactions with Partner Agencies
Our work brings us into contact with numerous agencies and organizations, and we are committed to maintaining respectful, ethical relationships with all partners. Whether working with local businesses, suppliers, volunteers or government agencies, we uphold our values of professionalism, transparency, and accountability to support positive, mutually beneficial relationships.
5. Inspiring Company Culture and Employee Growth
Our employees and volunteers are at the heart of our mission, and we are dedicated to fostering a company culture that promotes respect, engagement, and personal growth. We encourage every team member to bring their best self to work, offering opportunities for learning, development, and advancement. By promoting an environment where employees and volunteers feel valued and motivated, we aim to create a lasting positive impact on our organization, our team, and the donkeys in our care.
6. Transparency and Accountability as a Non-Profit
As a non-profit organization, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all of our operations. We recognize that the trust and support of our donors, volunteers, and community are essential to our mission, and we are dedicated to honoring that trust through open, honest communication and responsible financial stewardship.
Financial Transparency
We strive to make our financial information easily accessible and understandable for our supporters. Through regular financial reporting, including annual reports and audited financial statements, we provide a clear picture of how donations are used to support our rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption programs. Our donors can trust that their contributions are being managed responsibly to maximize our impact on donkey welfare.
Operational Transparency
We are dedicated to being open about our operational processes, including how we care for the donkeys, our adoption procedures, and the standards we hold for partnering with other rescues and agencies. By sharing insights into our daily practices, we aim to build confidence and understanding within our community. We regularly update our supporters on our activities, challenges, and successes, showcasing the progress we are making and areas where we strive for improvement.
Accountability to Our Mission and Community
As a non-profit, we hold ourselves accountable not only to our donors but also to the donkeys and communities we serve. We regularly assess our programs and initiatives to ensure they align with our mission and produce measurable positive outcomes for donkey welfare. We also welcome feedback from our supporters, volunteers, employees, and partners, fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
Accessible Information and Open Communication
We encourage open communication with our supporters and the public by making information about our programs, policies, and impact readily available. Our website, newsletters, and public reports serve as primary channels for sharing updates and stories that reflect our ongoing work. Additionally, we are committed to answering questions and providing information to anyone interested in learning more about our organization and mission.
At Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, transparency is not just a principle—it’s a practice we live by every day. We believe that by being open and accountable, we strengthen the trust of our community and build a foundation for long-term success in rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for donkeys in need.
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue stands by these ethical commitments as we work towards a future where every donkey is treated with dignity and respect, both within our organization and around the world. Through these guiding principles, we pledge to remain a positive force for animal welfare, advocacy, and compassionate care.
PVDR Company Culture Statement:
Positive: we strive to maintain a fun, friendly environment that allows our employees and volunteers true enjoyment of their jobs
Value: we aim to create a progressive and inclusive work atmosphere that encourages collaboration between all voices and their ideas within our PVDR family
Dynamic: we will inspire employees and volunteers to be engaged and seek opportunities to pursue roles that benefit the overall improvement and success of PVDR
Respectful: we expect all our employees and volunteers to conduct themselves in a virtuous and ethical manner in all PVDR transactions including peer-to-peer and interactions with outside associates, but especially with the animals
Our Humble Beginning…
Mark and Amy Meyers started the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue as a backyard hobby over two decades ago. After purchasing their first donkey Izzy as a pet, the Meyers’ began to notice other donkeys in their community that were in various stages of abuse and neglect. Not knowing exactly what to do, Amy began buying up these donkeys and Mark spent his evenings talking to the donkeys and fixing their various ailments. It was after the 25th donkey came into the Meyers’ home that they decided to open an actual Rescue so that they would be able to find safe, loving homes for their donkeys.
This simple gesture of love has turned into the largest rescue of its kind in the world. The Meyers’ still stay involved in the day to day operations of the Rescue but they also manage a large staff that ensure the well being of the over 3,000 donkeys under their direct care.
Under the Meyers’ direction, Peaceful Valley has grown to the largest rescue of its kind with facilities all across the United States.
Mark Meyers has been seen on television programs around the world. He has also been a guest on several radio programs and authored several books. His public speaking engagements include business organizations, service clubs and classrooms ranging from the kindergarten to university levels. Mark brings his lively desert adventures, heart-warming rescue stories and living philosophy of compassion everywhere he goes.