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Indybay Feature

Animal Place Announces Rescue Ranch

by Mark Hawthorne
Unique program will help place abused and neglected farmed animals in loving homes.
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Animal Place, an education center and sanctuary for farmed animals, is pleased to announce that in addition to our new location in Grass Valley, we will retain our current property in Vacaville, California. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous supporter, Animal Place will keep our 60-acre location, transforming it into Rescue Ranch, which will serve as an innovative adoption and placement facility for farmed animals. Animals who arrive at Rescue Ranch will be quarantined, given veterinary care, rehabilitated and then placed in pre-approved homes.

The Ranch will be dedicated to finding loving homes for easily adoptable animals, such as chickens, sheep, and goats, though we will also be able to place pigs and cows under the right circumstances. With our history of successfully re-homing rescued “battery” hens, however, and with more and more people enjoying them as companion animals, we will likely focus our efforts on chickens. “Backyard chicken flocks are becoming increasingly popular,” says Animal Place Executive Director Kim Sturla. “We previously have rescued and placed thousands of hens who were retired from the egg industry. Instead of these birds being sent to slaughter, as they usually are, our hope is that many will come to Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch and then placed in new, loving homes.”

We hope to establish a network with farms, shelters and other rescue groups to maximize the options for the thousands of farmed animals who are abused, neglected and abandoned nationwide while we promote the idea that farmed animals can be companion animals. In addition, we will revive our dog-rescue program.

Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch will be begin operation just as soon as we move the 200-plus animals up to the Grass Valley sanctuary sometime in the beginning of 2010. Animal Place’s new Grass Valley sanctuary features 590 acres of irrigated meadows, ponds and wooded knolls. It is cross-fenced with outbuildings, sheds and houses for the animal caretakers. A paved road with full public access makes visiting much easier. Plans for the site include species-specific housing and new barns, including an isolation barn for incoming and sick animals.

Though no tours will be offered at Rescue Ranch, the Grass Valley sanctuary will be open to the public on designated dates throughout the year. Both Animal Place locations will need volunteers, and there will be internship opportunities.

“With the launching of Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch, many more lives will be saved,” says Sturla. “We are tremendously grateful to our anonymous donor, who believes so strongly in our mission that they are willing to fund Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch. We really do count on the support of the public; it has literally meant the difference between life and death for countless animals.”

For more information, please contact Animal Place at (707) 449-4814, or email info [at] animalplace.org.

About Animal Place

Now celebrating its 20th year, Animal Place is a nonprofit sanctuary for abused and discarded farmed animals with locations in Grass Valley and Vacaville, California. Since 1989, Animal Place has been taking in farmed animals who have been abused or neglected and have no place else to go. Animals rescued from auctions and stockyards and animals used in research also make up the many animals who share 590 acres of forest, meadow and pasture, peacefully living out the remainder of their lives. Animal Place also operates Rescue Ranch, a 60-acre facility in Vacaville. In addition to providing the day-to-day care of animals, Animal Place is an advocacy organization offering farm tours, volunteer training and outreach activities. More information on the sanctuary can be found online at http://www.animalplace.org.
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by Diane Dysart
I live in Fairfield Ca. I love animals, I've worked at a Animal Rescue Ranch -we cared for Dogs,Cats,a few cows,donkeys and some horses and I loved it!!! I would love to do it again!!

Please contact me 707-430-8746
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