Animals Evacuated From Children's Nature Retreat​ Due To Wildfire

ALPINE, CA — An animal sanctuary in Alpine that was already impacted by the coronavirus pandemic is seeking donations to help care for the animals after dozens were evacuated due to the Valley Fire in eastern San Diego County.

With the help of the San Diego Humane Society and volunteers with horse trailers and space to welcome the animals, about 120 of the 140 animals were evacuated safely from the Children's Nature Retreat.

Also see: Valley Fire: More Evacuation Orders Lifted As Containment Grows

The animals are being housed and cared for by individual ranches out of harm's way. Agnes Barrelet, executive director of Children's Nature Retreat, is on-site caring for the remaining big and exotic animals that were not evacuated.

The Children's Nature Retreat, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families, is home to 22 different species and 58 distinct breeds of livestock and exotic animals. The domesticated and exotic animals at the nonprofit have been either rescued or adopted from previous owners who could no longer care for them.

The 20-acre animal sanctuary was already in need of donations due to the pandemic. Like many nonprofits this year, Children's Nature Retreat was forced to cancel fundraising events, and was temporarily closed to visitors, one of its main sources of revenue.

Visit ChildrensNatureRetreat.org/Donate to donate.