Home At Last Sanctuary

Jim and I are retired educators and we both faced and survived life threatening issues- breast cancer for me and a terrible auto accident for Jim. In 2004 to celebrate our recoveries we decided to get a mule. We had horses in our younger days, but it had been over 20 years since we had them.

How We Started

We found a mule- May Belle- at The Sunshine Sanctuary in Los Molinas CA. When May Belle arrive she came with two surprises- Jessie, another mule, and Sweet, a Kiger mustang. We were thrilled. Within a few weeks we started getting calls about taking old, injured or unwanted horses.

We did not plan on having a rescue, but soon we had 17!!! Our 5 acres did not provide the room we needed so we moved to Yankee Hill, CA in 2006 where we met wonderful friends and supporters. They convinced us to become a non-profit.

Now we have 50 horses, donkeys and mules. We have had to turn away more than 150 horses since Jan. 2009.

We feel strongly about the animals’ ability to help and heal people, so part of our mission is to have the ranch open to folks who need the peace and solace that nature and animals can provide.

Helping People Too

COVE, an organization that works with physically and mentally challenged adults, comes weekly so their clients can have time with the animals. We have groups of adults and children come on a regular basis. Individuals with life-threatening conditions have come to spend the day here.

A high school senior works daily to earn credits for her graduation and a college student may do an internship next semester. Larry Wilson uses the manure for his worm farm, as do many local gardeners.

Socially Conscious

We are completely off-grid. The entire ranch is wind and solar powered. We use Spaulding fly preditors to help control the flies. The animals who come to us stay here for life. We do not resell.

Many of the horses, donkeys and mules have been abused or neglected. Some are just old and need a safe reirement. Others have been injured and can no longer work. Some are just unwanted. We provide regular vet and farrier care.

No one here is paid. All donations go directly to animal care. As so often happens we also have 5 rescued dogs and 8 cats, plus chickens and guinea hens.

How You Can Help

Our needs vary from donations for feed, vet and farrier care to new fencing, shelters, fly masks and fly control. We need a good publicist, a fund raiser and grant writer

On average we feed 6-8 bales of hay a day and 1 bag beet pulp and one bag senior feed daily. Our vet bill averages $400.00-1,000.00 a month. We have some young horses- Leeso 2 years old with a deformed back and others 5 or 6 years old.

A Little About Our Animals

Many of our oldsters are in their mid-twenties and some are 30+ years. Teddy turns 36 this year. We provide a safe, loving, and caring environment for all who come.

Our horses are of all breeds: Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Paints, Arabians, a Belgian, Tennessee Walkers, a Rocky Mountain, a Morab, a Quarab, mustangs, a Haflinger, a POA, Appys (2 of which are totally blind), an Anglo-Arab, a mini horse and a Westphalian plus 6 mules and 2 donkeys.

Please, visit us at our website Home At Last Sanctuary or on Make The Difference Network. Each animal has a story to tell. Some are sweet and some are heart-breaking.