This petition was started to urge school administrators to stop donkey basketball games on any school property this week, or anytime in the future. Galt Union High School, Elk Grove High School and Pleasant Grove High School in California have recently held Donkey Basketball as FFA fundraisers . We are asking both Galt Union and Elk Grove Unified School Districts to reconsider this form of fundraising. We understand the need for fundraising, however, we feel that the decision to host a donkey basketball game is inhumane and demeaning to animals. Not to mention that it sets a horrible example for young, impressionable students about how we should treat fellow living beings.

Galt Union High School FFA has currently scheduled a donkey basketball game to be held on March 12, 2019. It is our hope that not only will this year's game be canceled, but that the principals and superintendent will agree to not permit donkey basketball to occur ever again on any school property.

"Donkey basketball and baseball events send young people the message that it is OK to abuse and humiliate those who are in a helpless condition. Children who are exposed to animal abuse are taught the dangerous lesson that cruelty is acceptable.” - The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada

At these basketball games, donkeys have potential to experience a host of abuses. Donkeys are often pushed, pulled, kicked, and punched by their riders, are injured by basketballs hitting them, or by falling on slippery surfaces – like a gym floor. Most donkeys used for basketball events have little opportunity to lead a 'normal' life. They spend a significant amount of their lives in crowded trailers while being shipped from one event to the other. Donkeys may injure each other in the cramped trailer, and frequent transport can increase stress, as well as their susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.

Using animals for entertainment, such as, hosting donkey basketball fundraisers, send kids the message that it’s OK to use and humiliate those who are weaker than they are. And because of that, schools from coast to coast have stopped hosting cruel donkey basketball fundraisers. It is our hope that all schools will no longer allow donkey basketball games, or any entertainment/fundraiser, to be held on school property when live animals are involved. There are many other ways to raise funds for FFA, which don’t include using animals. Please join us by signing this petition asking Galt Union and Elk Grove Unified to never again participate, promote, host, or support a donkey basketball game.

"Donkey Basketball – An act of cruelty in which people way too large for small donkeys get to shove, drag and jump on donkeys in an environment no donkey should be subjected to. A venue in which people pay to watch animal abuse in a public setting and call it ‘fund raising’." - Deb Kidwell is the owner of Lake Nowhere Mule and Donkey Farm in Martin, Tenn. She is working to preserve the American Mammoth Jackstock donkey breed. Deb is a mule and donkey historian, and a feature writer for Western Mule Magazine. Her work has also appeared in The Brayer, Mules and More, Small Acreage and True West magazines. Deb is writing a book telling the true story of George Washington and his beloved Spanish donkey, Royal Gift, which will be published by the University of Virginia Press.

“The “funny” things that the donkeys do to rid themselves of their riders during these types of donkey events and that is so enjoyed by spectators of these events in an instinctual reaction to pain and/or discomfort.” - Meredith Hodges, Lucky Three Ranch. Donkey and mule trainer, author and host of the television series Training Mules & Donkeys: A Logical Approach to Longears that aired on RFD-TV, The Discovery Channel and the Outdoor Network.

We sincerely ask our School District administrators to cancel these events and find an alternative fundraising method. It is not about the almighty dollar. It is about animals matter, donkeys matter, humane activities matter.  We ask that you cancel the game scheduled for March 12, 2019 and ban donkey basketball from your schools.

Thank you for signing!

https://www.peta.org/teachkind/humane-classroom/donkey-basketball-cruelty/

The Horse Magazine: Study Reveals Working Donkey Pain Behavior
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/38937/study-reveals-working-donkey-pain-behavior?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=03-16-2017

Modern Farmer: The Dark Side of Donkey Basketball
http://modernfarmer.com/2014/12/dark-side-donkey-basketball/;

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Puts a Stop to Cruel “Donkeyball”
http://aldf.org/press-room/press-releases/the-animal-legal-defense-fund-puts-a-stop-to-cruel-donkeyball/

ASPCA Policy on Animal Acts and Contests
http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/animal-acts-and-contests

Habitat For Horses: Stop Donkey Basketball
http://www.habitatforhorses.org/stop-donkey-basketball/

The Dodo: Donkey Basketball Fundraiser Brings Back "Obscene" Tradition
https://www.thedodo.com/donkey-basketball-fundraiser-b-424678659.html

Oddity Central: Donkey Basketball – Cruel Sport or Just Plain Fun?http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/donkey-basketball-cruel-sport-or-just-plain-fun.html

The The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada: Animal Use and Abuse
http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ca/our-donkeys/animal-welfare-animal-use-and-abuse

New York Times: Catskills high school won’t put on annual Donkey Basketball fundraiser after complaints from animal rights group
https://www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/new-york/catskills-hs-won-put-annual-donkey-basketball-fundraiser-article-1.2672987