Several dozen horses, the last of more than 725 allegedly neglected animals removed from a Julian animal sanctuary, were transported to an East County equestrian center this week, a milestone in the largest rescue ever conducted by the San Diego Humane Society.
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In addition to the 54 horses transported to the Willow Glen Equestrian Centre, four additional horses were moved to the Humane Society’s Escondido campus for ongoing behavioral and medical care, officials said.
The move means no animals are left at the Villa Chardonnay Horses with Wings property in Julian. Staff who have made the long drive to the rural community to provide daily care for animals are removing supplies and tools from the property, Jordan Frey, a spokesperson for the Humane Society, said Thursday.
In May, the Humane Society’s law enforcement officers served a court warrant at the property to seize animals after authorities alleged there was evidence of severe neglect, untreated injuries and a lack of basic care.
Since then, hundreds of animals were relocated, including cats that were moved to the Humane Society’s own campuses. Farm animals, including goats, alpacas, chickens, ducks and donkeys, were transferred to Suwanna Ranch, a 7,000-acre farm animal refuge in Elk Creek, roughly 100 miles south of Redding.
The horses were the last remaining animals at the 40-acre site, which filed for bankruptcy. The sanctuary’s founder previously denied the animals were mistreated.
The horses, moved over a three-day period, are now in a more secure location that is more accessible for staff, volunteers and those interested in adoptions.
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Some horses that were at the sanctuary already have been adopted, and others will be ready for new homes, the Humane Society said. Those interested in adopting were told to email [email protected] to learn more about the process. The horses are not available for public viewing, officials said.
“Moving these horses is an important step forward in their recovery,” Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, said in a statement. “This new location allows us to continue providing the individualized care they need in a safer, more efficient setting while also making it easier for our teams to support them, and potential adopters to give them the new lives they deserve.”
Humane Society officials credited another nonprofit for helping secure the new space for the horses.
Providing daily care and food for the large number of animals has been an expensive proposition, and the Humane Society asked supporters to donate to the cause. More than $585,000 has been raised since May 1 for emergency response activities in Julian and elsewhere, the organization said.
Some animals, including 30 horses, had to be euthanized because they were in such poor health after the Humane Society took possession.
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