Temecula Animal Sanctuary Seeking Donations, Land for More Than 200 Animals

The owners of a Temecula animal sanctuary are seeking land and public donations to facilitate a move to a new location, as a recent decision will force the evacuation of more than 200 animals by Tuesday.

The owners of Villa Chardonnay were prepared to move from their 10-acre home of seven years in early November to a property in San Diego County, said co-founder and CFO Louise Gardner.

After numerous failed attempts to purchase the Temecula property themselves, Villa Chardonnay went into escrow on a Julian, California property, with a closing date of Oct. 30. Villa Chardonnay’s lease ran out in September, but Gardner said the property owner has refused an extension, bringing the moving deadline to Oct. 20.

The owners are now working to relocate more than 200 animals, including “over 100 horses, several donkeys, 12 dogs, dozens of cats, goats, and three turkeys,” according to a press release.

“We are reaching out to the Southern California community and trying to find someone with a big heart and some land that can help with the temporary situation,” said Monika Kerber, Villa Chardonnay president and CEO.

Gardner told City News Service on Sunday that a nearby property in Temecula will be able to house about half of their horses during the interim. But physically moving the animals is another concern.

Gardner said that they require somewhere around 18 days to move all the animals, a time frame that will not be possible with the Tuesday deadline, particularly due to the fact that many animals are elderly or infirm.

“The animals at Villa Chardonnay have many special needs,” the release states. “They require daily medication, first aid, some suffer from cancer and blindness. Ten percent of the population have Cushing’s disease and 80 percent have advance arthritis. Neurological disorders are common and create instability causing them to slip and fall, a symptom especially difficult during loading and unloading of trailers.”

The remaining horses and other animals still lack a home, and Gardner said moving the older animals twice will be a particular strain on them. In addition to moving the animals, the staff at Villa Chardonnay must move supplies and equipment such as 40 metal horse paddocks, roof shelters, barn material and more.

The sanctuary is requesting donations to aid with the moving efforts, as well as basic needs and veterinary care.

Donations can be made on the sanctuary’s website, www.villachardonnay.org.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of Villa Chardonnay