Rescue Ranch - A Project of Animal Place

As you know, Animal Place is moving to a 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley, California. This means leaving behind our current 60-acre facility in Vacaville. Of course we are excited as well as sad because the Vacaville property has provided a safe haven to so many animals over the last 20 years.

In an incredible turn of events, an anonymous generous donor provided the funds for Animal Place to retain the 60-acre property. The Vacaville property will be the home of Rescue Ranch, a project of Animal Place. It will serve as a farmed animal adoption center. This new program will permit Animal Place to provide farmed animals with two options: Placement into a new home or permanent sanctuary in Grass Valley. Of course, Animal Place will continue to educate and advocate on behalf of the billions of farmed animals who will never know either a home or a safe haven.
 
Will you still be moving to GrassValley?
Yes! Nothing about the move to Grass Valley will change. All of the current residents, from chickens and calves to staff and database, will be moving to Grass Valley. Grass Valley will serve as Animal Place's office, sanctuary and education center.
 
What services will Rescue Ranch provide?
Animal Place's Rescue Ranch will serve as an innovative adoption and placement facility for farmed animals. Animals who arrive at Rescue Ranch will be quarantined, provided veterinary care, rehabilitated and then placed in pre-approved homes.
 
Will there still be tours in Vacaville?
No, Rescue Ranch will be a holding and care facility for animals prior to adoption. Tours and other onsite events will be hosted at the sanctuary in Grass Valley.
 
What kind of animals will Rescue Ranch place?
The Ranch will place those farmed animals for whom we can find loving homes. Obviously, some farmed animals, like goats and chickens, may be placed in greater numbers than pigs and cows. Because of their popularity as backyard companion animals, chickens will be the primary species. Additionally, Animal Place has a history of placing thousands of spent hens from previous rescues.
 
However, 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 promoting the idea that farmed animals can be companion animals.
 
Whereas, our primary focus will be on the rescue and placement of farmed animals, we may possibly revitalize our dog rescue program.
 
Will volunteers be needed at Rescue Ranch?
Yes! Our volunteer program will continue at both the Vacaville and Grass Valley sites.
 
Will there be internship opportunities?
Yes, there will be internship opportunities, including residential internships available. 
 
When will the new sanctuary in GrassValley be up and running?
We have accomplished a lot in the nine months we have owned the property. The four new barns will be completed by August 10. The last big project we must complete before moving is constructing about 2.5 miles of fencing.
 
When will Rescue Ranch begin operation?
Rescue Ranch will be begin operation immediately after we move the animals up to the Grass Valley sanctuary - sometime the beginning of 2010.
 
Please stay tuned for further details. We hope you are as excited as we are about this new development!
 
Questions?
If you have questions about this exciting new project of Animal Place's please feel free to contact Kim Sturla at kim [at] animalplace [dot] org - 707-449-4814.