From Media Exec to Donkey King: Ron King’s Unlikely Path to Animal Rescue
What happens when a high-powered media executive discovers a random TikTok video during a global pandemic? For Ron King, it sparked a complete life transformation. During COVID-19, he stumbled upon a video that would pull him away from the boardroom and into the barn—trading click rates for donkey care and launching a mission that would eventually land him on ABC’s docuseries “Donkey King.”
The Viral Spark That Changed Everything
During the pandemic’s uncertainty, Ron King was like many others—reassessing his career and spending more time scrolling through social media. A single TikTok video about donkeys in crisis caught his attention and stirred something deeper than a casual like. Rather than simply sharing the post, Ron leveraged his executive expertise to take meaningful action.
What began as a compassionate impulse evolved into a full-time commitment. He eventually assumed leadership of Oscar’s Place, a sprawling 75-acre sanctuary in California dedicated to rescuing donkeys from neglect and slaughter. His mission was clear: provide a safe, dignified haven for animals that had nowhere else to go. This career pivot wasn’t a temporary pandemic hobby—it became his life’s work, proving that sometimes the most profound changes come from the most unexpected moments.
Life at Oscar’s Place: Managing 250+ Lives
Running an animal sanctuary demands far more than good intentions. Ron now oversees more than 250 donkeys, each with distinct personalities, medical histories, and behavioral needs. The 75-acre conservatory requires relentless maintenance, strategic fundraising, veterinary coordination, and hands-on labor—a stark contrast to his previous corporate environment.
Yet Ron discovered that his media background wasn’t wasted; it became essential. His organizational skills, strategic thinking, and storytelling abilities proved invaluable in building community support. By sharing the donkeys’ individual stories online, he cultivated a loyal network of donors and advocates who sustain the sanctuary’s operations. Every day at Oscar’s Place reinforces that compassion paired with professional competence creates real, lasting impact for vulnerable animals.
