If I could give zero stars I would. It's ironic they operate under the name kindness. Give your money to a place with better values and where it will go to actually help animals. For over ten years they have had people with questionable values running the place. They have a terrible reputation locally. Pray for these people.
My sister adopted two Beagles from the Kindness Ranch just before COVID shut things down in 2020. Luckily later that year I was able to visit the Ranch to see the wonderful things they do for all the animals. My sister’s Beagles have come a long way in just a year and are the sweetest loving dogs you could ever wish for. Thank you to Kindness Ranch for rescuing them.
After 6 rescue applications submitted to other non- profits with zero response we decided to give it one more try with Kindness Ranch. 7th time is a charm. I grew up in the area and reached out. We were asked to apply and were approved the same day. When dogs were available we were contacted, set an appointment, and picked up our Beagle. Seamless. Love our Niccolo. I talk up Kindness Ranch to EVERYONE. Love local. Support local. Pay it forward.
Written by my daughter shortly after we adopted Chandler from Kindness Ranch.
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Becoming Chandler: Musings from a Lab-Rescue Beagle
My whole life existed inside of a cage in a big scary building. I didn’t know about the sun. I never saw the sky. I didn’t know what grass was. My memories are of pain, discomfort, loneliness and fear.
Somewhere nearby were others like me. I could sense them and smell them but I wasn’t allowed to know them. I couldn’t talk to them. When I was a baby somebody shaved my vocal cords. When I try to speak all I can do is make a small rasping sound. I have no voice.
I’m a Beagle. We are very smart and the gentlest of dogs. That’s why the humans use us in their labs. We do what we’re told and we just want to please you, even when it makes us feel bad.
When the humans are done with us in the lab they don’t have to let us go free. Many of us are killed. But there are kind humans who come to the labs and ask if they can take us and find homes for us. It doesn’t always work but I was one of the lucky ones. I was rescued!
I have a human mom and sister now. I live in a fun, safe place with a big yard and I even have a beagle sister to play with! Mom says I am still a puppy and I’m a miracle because I got out of the lab at only 14 months old.
I love my new house, but most of the time I just want to be OUTSIDE. Outside is so amazing! Grass, trees, flowers, birds, squirrels, wind, sun, snow, and rain! And I can RUN! I run until my legs don’t want to work anymore, then I lay down on my own special cushion and nap in the sun for as long as I want!
I’m learning to trust humans. Mom is very patient with me and I’m doing better every day. Last week I even felt good enough to try sleeping in the big soft bed with my human sister. It was amazing! Now I sleep in her bed every night.
I heard Mom say that humans don’t have to test their products on animals, but Beagles are easy and cost less. About 96% of lab test dogs are Beagles like me - over 65,000 of us in the U.S. alone - who don’t know that there is a world where they can find love and be happy. They don’t even know about OUTSIDE!
My humans call me Chandler. I like it. It’s nice to have a name instead of just the number that is tattooed inside my ear. A new name for a new me!
I got lucky. Lots of other lab Beagles don’t get a second chance like I did. Please help my Beagle friends in the labs by learning more about rescue projects, new laws that could help us, and the amazing humans who work so hard to set us free. Lots of Beagles need loving homes like mine!
Worked at a lab, and some of the animals that I took care of were sent to the Ranch. Visited resently and was quite impressed with the whole organization. The animals I knew all remembered me and were in great spirits and health. A very worth while outfit.
Such a peaceful wonderful loving rescue for research animals. All the animals, dogs, cats? Pigs, horses, cows etc are so loved and cared for. Such a peaceful loving place.
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I love Kindness Ranch! We have visited numerous times and have volunteered each time. The animals are the top priority and receive the best care and training. Staff is all loving and kind, and very helpful with volunteers. Any animals from pigs, cows, horses, donkey to dogs and cats are the number one priority at this outstanding rescue!
I wasn't aware of Kindness Ranch until my daughter adopted on of their beagles. It warms my heart they rescue animals that aren't treated as they should.
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Kindness Ranch is just what it's called. They are kind to every animal that gets to live there. They are knowledgeable in rehabilitation which is what they do. Giving animals a chance to live life, unconditionally. To be free to be what they are . Safe, loved and special.
I first heard about Kindness Ranch from my advisor from school because I was researching about animal testing/research. I was looking at their website and I decided to come here for my senior thesis project. I had a great experience at Kindness Ranch. While I was with the dogs, I was helping by feeding the dogs and I would go outside with them so they could run around and get some fresh air. I was also playing fetch with them. While I was with the cats, I was helping by cleaning the windows, cleaning the cat beds, and I was brushing the cats. While I was with the barnyard, I was helping by mucking the field with Kenisha. Mucking the field means picking up horse feces. We would rake the feces then put them in the tractor. I was petting the goat, looking at the cows, cutting up produce for the goat and pigs, feeding the pigs, brushing the horses mane, and feeding the horses. I enjoyed this experience a lot and I would go back.
I have been following The Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary for quite a few years. I love their work, their care for the animals they save. The Sanctuary is a wonderful place to find your next best friend, knowing that their life was saved by the awesome staff there. One day I plan to visit and stay in one of the cabins, and interact with the staff and the animals.
What a wonderful job you are all doing for these animals! You've given them a second chance for a happy life with caring, loving people!
They rescue and offer a wonderful place for animals to feel love and caring. I especially love that they have rescued Beagles who spent their lives being tortured and experimented on. They are the best
Being a member of the Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary (KR) BOD is a true privilege. The mission of KR is simple: to provide sanctuary to former research animals & to show compassion to all. The focus of all staff & BOD members is simple & directed: how can we best serve our animal guests? This commitment to the animals' health, safety, & overall well-being informs all aspects of KR. The animals always come first. Always.
Once an animal is relinquished to us by a former research or medical facility, the process begins to help the animal to adjust to life outside of a lab. Each animal has a thorough vet check with testing, etc., to address any health conditions needing attention & each animal is also neutered. Our small but amazing staff work with each animal so they learn basic behaviors that may allow them to be adopted to become a member of a forever family. The evaluation process can last weeks or months & is rewarded by seeing the incremental adjustments the animal guests make as they thrive in their new environment. Some animals, due to temperament, age, &/or serious health conditions, may end up at KR for the remainder of their days as welcomed guests.
And kindness & compassion extend to our staff as well. We provide free housing & pay for utilities, medical coverage, vacation pay, etc., plus a salary. This allows staff to focus on their roles without the worry of paying housing costs, etc.. As our extraordinary Executive Director says, "Kindness is in our name, after all" & we believe in spreading kindness far & wide.
Kindness Ranch welcomes & appreciates any support of our mission, whether it's by donating, visiting, volunteering, &/or adopting. And by following & liking us on social media platforms & sharing our mission with family, friends, & coworkers. It's all for & about the animals. Always.
I have wanted to volunteer at kindness ranch for 10 years and finally have the means to do so. I can't wait to be there meet the staff and to do service for the animals!! Very excited for it!
If you love beagles AND need a break from the stress of daily life AND want to support a nonprofit organization making a MAJOR impact - LOOK NO FURTHER.
My beloved beagle and I had the opportunity to visit and volunteer in 2017 and it was AMAZING. I truly cant say enough about the experience! Really outstanding people, beautiful setting and important mission. Look forward to returning soon!
These are some of the best human beings on the planet. They rescue animals from experimentation, isolation, and emotional neglect, infuse them with love, attention, and affection and find them the best homes with adoring families.
We have adopted two beagles from The Kindness Ranch! Each time we have gone the staff has been amazing! I can't believe the things these animals have been through and it makes me so happy to see them being treated so well! Each animal so badly just wants a home and to be loved. Thank you Kindness Ranch! Without you, these sweet animals would never have a chance.
I have had the opportunity to adopt to of the beagles they homed from research labs. These dogs have given 4 years of their loved to help further medical research and whether you agree with that or not these animals should be given a life rather than be destroyed. These people dedicate their lives to transition animals for furever homes and if they find they can't be placed they let them love it the remainder of their lives there. They use socal media to help people see the work of the animals. They do deserve to be recognized. Couldn't get the picture to load.
The first time my bestie and I visited Kindness Ranch was April of 2019. Thirteen male beagles had arrived from a laboratory and we helped with their check-in, recording weights, assessing their physical state, and prioritizing any special care they might need....dental, coat care, ear care, etc. We watched as they went down the steps for the first time to play outside in the grass and the sunshine! They had never done this before but they caught on quickly, running at top speed with their ears flapping in the wind. After they had run, run, run, we gave them belly rubs while they lay in the warm grass with the sun on their faces....eyes squinting and totally trusting us. It was so rewarding to watch them start to become the doggos that they should be! All of the animals come first at Kindness Ranch and that's why we continue to go back as often as we can. We are so grateful that Kindness Ranch exists so that animals who have lived a life in a laboratory can become the animals they were meant to be.
This sanctuary serves a unique and vitally important need - rescuing and caring for animals who have been “used” in research labs!
We’ve fostered four dogs with Kindness Ranch and have loved working them. We’ve stayed at the ranch and seen first hand how hard each of the caretakers and volunteers work to care for their range of animals (alpacas, pigs, cats, dogs, horses, cows...they do it all!). These animals can have a hard time adjusting the world after being released for labs, and Kindness does a world class job of rehabilitating them or caring for them for their lifetime.
We adopted Jake 3.5 years ago. Working with Kindness Ranch was wonderful. They take such good care of the fur babies. Jake and his sister Clover(another rescue) even have their own room!
Love supporting this charity. So glad the are rescuing animals from labs so they can have a good life and be happy after all they've been put through.
We adopted our sweet beagle gal from the Kindness Ranch in 2018. Being onsite gave us an opportunity see how hard the staff work, how loving they are with the animals, and how vast their responsibilities are. Since that time we have followed their work closely and become bigger and bigger fans. This is our favorite nonprofit!!!
The work they do to rehome these lab animals is beyond words. Some of these animals have ever set foot on grass or seen the sun. The workers are very caring about these animals and making sure they get a second chance at a life in a real home.
A Memoriam to a great lady I loved: Delores (Deedee) Morales, who loved precious animals and championed their souls. Her passing this week reminded me again of my own mom, whose concerns at the end of her life were also her beloved senior pets. Deedee would be smiling to know that a gift to The Kindness Ranch means her love of animals is being shared to help the unique mission of The Kindness Ranch rescue poor lab research animals - giving them joy and helping them to finally get the love and life they should have always had. Hopefully one day, there will be no more research on loving creatures. We will all miss you Deedee.
What a GREAT organization!!! We adopted a 1 yr old beagle names Cinderella AKA Ella. We couldn't be happier and neither could she! We are so glad we found Kindness Ranch to get our new family member. Please keep them in mind for your next pet, or donation.
We bacame familiar with Kindness Ranch when we adopted our first retired research Beagle Moose. The staff really took the time to understand which dog would fit best with our family. After adopting Moose, we really did our research about animal testing that takes place in the US and have become a cruelty free household.
Since then, we have adopted another beagle from Kindness. She was not nearly as adjusted as Moose. She was three years old, afraid of all people and had never lived outside of her cage. She needed a lot of patience and love. She has come a long way since then.
If not for places like Kindness Ranch, animals like money would have been euthanized after their testing period was completed. These animals need a place like Kindness to find them homes so they can know love and trust in their lives. And that they are not just products to be used and tossed away.
Adopting Moose and Luna has changed my life in so many ways. But more importantly, it has changed theirs.
Thank you Kindness for the very important work you do!
Lovely surroundings and great yurt/cabins to rent so that you can stay at the Sanctuary and participate in interacting with the animals. Mary Miles is one of the best Animal Caregivers I've ever met. Her tireless efforts working with the animals, and ensuring they have a safe, clean environment in which to live and grow is remarkable. She's the type of caregiver you wish you could clone....high energy, high integrity and tremendous compassion. It's staff like Mary that makes Kindness Ranch a wonderful place for former lab animals to become rehabilitated. Kindness Ranch does great work!
I love the mission of this charity-- to provide rehabilitation and a loving environment for former laboratory animals. Through their newsletter, they show us ways that they are diplomatically negotiating the release of animals from labs (animals, who, would normally been killed when the research concluded) and their recovery process, which often culminates in an adoption into a loving home. They support a range of farm animals and domestic pets. They are a smaller organization that seems to be run conscientiously. There is not a lot of wasted money on marketing materials. I also appreciate that the newsletter does not overwhelm the reader with horrific images of animals in distress. This is a wonderful group of people working to help animals who are not on most people's radars, but are going through great suffering to serve people's needs.
I had been watching their website for several months and was finally ready to adopt another Beagle so a friend and I drove up to the ranch and looked at all the beagles they had. I decided on a little boy and filled out the paper work and drove home. Best decision I have made in a long time. He was shy at first everything scared him but he has come along nicely and is doing well some noises still bother him but he is getting better. I would recommend anyone looking to adopt they make the trip up to Kindness Ranch the drive will be worth your while
This is the only place that rescues animals from labs when they are done testing with them. They get new homes, are re habilitated and given a new lease on the rest of their lives
I have been contributing to Kindness Ranch for a number of years and am constantly amazed by the wonderful rescue work that they do providing animals with a place to stay until they can find forever homes. If you are looking for a worthwhile organization to donate to, I highly recommend Kindness Ranch!
I transport rescue animals throughout the Midwest. I had the opportunity during a transport to visit Kindness Ranch last year. I was amazed at what I witnessed. Every volunteer showed so much kindness & compassion to the animals!
I loved Kindness Ranch so much, I'm making a detour after a transport next week to visit again!
I'm attaching a link to an album I created last year during my stay- please take a look!
https://www.facebook.com/sdcharlie/media_set?set=a.677302942299851.1073741826.100000604543318&type=3
