Donkeys being abandoned to the wild because of high hay prices and drought

Hundreds of donkeys are being abandoned in Texas and Louisana because of lingering drought, "turning them into wandering refugees that have severely tested animal rescue groups," The Associated Press reports. Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, the U.S.'s largest donkey rescue group, says it's taken in almost 800 donkeys since March 2011 from Texas, where ranchers used them to guard goat and cattle herds. When ranchers sold their herds because of the poor economy, the donkeys were out of a job. (Photo by Kevin Martin, San Antonio Express-News: Mark Meyers with rescued donkey)

Even though the drought's over, "the flood of donkeys continues," said Peaceful Valley Executive Director Mark Meyers. He said some of the donkeys the group has taken in were abandoned, abused or caught in federal round-ups of herds. People often sneak them onto others' land: "They'll drive a couple counties over, look for a place where there's a bad part on a fence and kick them onto somebody else's property," Meyers said. "I get a call at least once a week from somebody saying, 'I woke up and found donkeys on my property.'" He said he's only be able to place about 40 rescued donkeys with new owners because most rescues are males, which are more aggressive and harder to place. (Read more)