A sprawling animal sanctuary in Julian, California has been shuttered following a major rescue operation that removed more than 400 animals suffering from severe neglect and malnutrition.
The San Diego Humane Society executed the operation at Villa Chardonnay, a 40-acre facility that had been operating since 2003. Authorities seized approximately 165 horses, several ponies, 30 dogs, over 300 cats, along with chickens, ducks, geese, goats and pigs found on the property.
The rescue came after animal welfare groups repeatedly attempted to investigate the sanctuary, which had filed for bankruptcy the previous year. The humane society ultimately obtained a search warrant based on veterinary evidence of severe neglect. The bankruptcy trustee then moved to legally transfer custody of all animals to the organization.
Conditions at the facility proved dire. Dr. Zarah Hedge, the humane society's chief medical officer, documented widespread malnutrition alongside open wounds, ringworm and giardia infections across the animal population. Four horses, a pony and a bull were euthanized to prevent further suffering, and one kitten died while in the humane society's care.
"This is one of the largest and most complex rescues our organization has ever undertaken," said Jace Huggins, vice-president and chief of humane law enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society. "We are currently managing a 40-acre property to stabilize and rescue hundreds of animals who have suffered from significant deficiencies in care and welfare."
Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, described the situation bluntly. "It truly is appalling," Weitzman said. "There is no question at all about the neglect, at the very least that occurred out there. I am very happy that these animals have a new chance at life."
Villa Chardonnay's leadership disputed the allegations. Heidi Redman, a spokesperson for the sanctuary, told media outlets that the organization had hoped to recover from its financial troubles and insisted the animals "were well taken care of." She claimed the facility's founder, Monika Kerber, and her partner were "devastated" by the allegations, stating the animals were "like their children" and received daily feeding and veterinary treatment.
The sanctuary had promoted itself online as being "dedicated to providing a forever home to animals who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused," and claimed to care for more than 600 animals before the rescue operation commenced.
Author James Rodriguez: "A sanctuary that promised refuge became a cautionary tale about the gap between mission and management, leaving vulnerable animals to pay the price."
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