Our Vision, Mission and Values
No matter how the local wild burros originated, the past is history and their future is blessed. DonkeyLand is one of the nation’s largest facilities for wild burros and donkeys ONLY, as well as an all-volunteer organization. DonkeyLand is dedicated to saving wild burros and their habitats at our nearly 2,000+ acre oasis, a Rescue, Sanctuary and Wildlife Preserve. Now our permanent residents, abundance of other wildlife and as many wild burros brought in our care, have a SAFE place, of their own, to call home. At DonkeyLand “Dreams Come True.”

DOMESTIC DONKEYS – Our rescued donkeys have usually suffered terrible abuse by the hands of their cruel owners. We have rescued and rehabilitated animals who have been severely abused, neglected, starved to emaciation, beaten, confined in their own waste, shot and many other acts of animal cruelty. We allow them as much time as they need to heal, emotionally and physically, as we restore their trust in humankind and for those who are healthy enough, we find them safe, loving, permanent adoptive homes where they can become a cherished member of a family but because our goal is a forever home – title does not transfer, meaning with a guarantee that in the event the new family can no longer care for the donkey, they can safely be returned back to DonkeyLand. We don’t usually have domesticated donkeys available for adoption because the majority of rescued animals are wild burros.

WILD BURROS – The wild burros are NOT our responsibility but as a local resource we are here to help them with permission to intervene if a wild burro is sick, injured, orphaned or unique cases. Our emergency rescue assistance to serve the wild burros in dire situations at a moment’s notice, involve safely capturing, providing first-aid onsite treatment or transporting to the hospital. Ultimately our goal is to rescue, rehabilitate and release the burro back to the wild but in some cases the ideal situation does not always happen and the burro becomes a permanent resident of DonkeyLand needing lifelong loving kindness and care. We are a forever home for those who can’t be released back to the wild because of a traumatic car accident, injury, illness or a special needs situation. They come to us traumatized, desperate and betrayed. With us they find love, safety, compassion, dignity, trust, hope and most importantly – a new beginning.

Our Vision
Our vision is to see the local wild burro herds remain wild and free. However, if it ever comes down to the day that they are in danger of losing their freedom then this is our vision: To see the wild burros live in a natural eco-friendly Sanctuary, locally and on their own land. In an environment that is as close as possible to the freedom that they lost, with vegetation and natural springs that nature has already provided to help sustain the animals, with rolling hills to play, run and graze on. Living together in peace and harmony, creating happy memories by not separating friends or family because burros bond for life.

Our Mission Statement
“Leaving a legacy to donkeys and our majestic treasured wild burros.”

Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate the status of donkeys and wild burros. We want to save lives and educate the public about the plight of these animals, both in captivity and in the wild, inspiring humankind to love, respect and protect these innocent creatures. The wild burros in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties are California’s ONLY free-roaming herds left on private property. We vow to leave a legacy to these beautiful, majestic, treasured wild burros. We believe in the beauty of dreams, because dreams really do come true!

Our Values
Our “RESCUE CENTER, SANCTUARY & WILDLIFE PRESERVE” is not a petting zoo, nor a tourist attraction, but rather, private land for the wild burros, a place of their own to call home. We believe in humane treatment, compassionate care and respect for all animals, especially their right not to be exploited for human purposes. This is why our Rescue Center, Sanctuary and Wildlife Preserve is closed to the public, to respect the peace and privacy of the wild burros in our care, with 24 access granted to the authorities, Animal Control Department’s and licensed Equine Veterinarians. We hold ourselves to a high standard of integrity, honesty, truthfulness, reliability and uprightness. We are grateful to the teamwork, trust and support of our donors, who offer these broken creatures a new beginning.

Our “VISITOR CENTER” opening soon at our Headquarters, will foster many of our goals to provide wildlife education and awareness to the community about the problems we address with the wild burro herds, like animal cruelty, why it is a dangerous death trap to feed, pet or lure the animals out of the hills near vehicles or the roadways, etc. We encourage the public, as well as the youths in local schools to participate as a team to help protect and preserve the wildlife we co-exist with. All too often people who may mean well, lure the burros to the roadside, hand feed them and let their children run around the various fields like it is a petting zoo or they drive around trespassing on private property like it’s a safari. It has been a real challenge. We believe an educational and visitor center will accomplish many goals. We would love to be able to divert the tourist, public and burro fan’s to learn about the wildlife in a safely monitored atmosphere, for private educational tours, by appointment only.

Furthermore, we do NOT allow activities such as baby burro petting, bottle feeding orphans, selfies with the wild burros, or any opportunities to have direct contact with wildlife through walking with the animals, hand feeding them, brushing them, or any other activities. We are NOT a “pay to play” as this is never in the best interests of the animals, it sends an inappropriate message about wild animals and potentially can be dangerous for the safety of both the public and the animals.