Where did you get that?

It is one of the most common questions we get here at the ranch. The answer varies with the critter, so I thought I would share a few stories with you all.

I didn't start off with a lot of animals. I started with a couple of horses from a local humane society. I had always wanted a horse ever since I was a little girl, so this was a dream come true. When I moved to a larger property, I added a couple more horses. Then someone told me about a llama that needed a home. Then a pig. Then a couple of geese. I think you can see where this is going.

At some point in time, I decided I wanted alpacas. Who wouldn't? They are fuzzy and adorable. I had begun my search for the perfect pair when I got a call from the UCLA system saying they had heard that I occasionally took in animals in need of a home. "What animals?" I asked. Turned out the university had bought some land to do experimental farming and on that land was a small Christmas tree farm with 5 live deer. The Christmas trees were going, as were the deer. I said, "Yes." Thus began my adventure in dealing with our government.

Before I could provide the deer a home, I needed a special permit from the State of California. I was sent a list of the requirements, including the construction of the pen, etc. At once, I did the paperwork and sent it in. Then I began work on the pen. Size, construction, everything had to be just right. Compliance was expensive, but I managed to create a nice environment for the deer that seemed to meet all the conditions.

Then I got the letter. It seemed that the person who currently held the permit on these deer could only transfer them as venison! I qualified for a permit, just not for those deer. I decided to fight for the "Santa Paula Five" as they became known. The Los Angeles Times and CBS got involved, and before you knew it there were petitions everywhere. Department of Fish and Game set a hearing date to settle the matter, so I did the only thing I could think of: I hired an attorney to represent the deer. In the end, DFG decided to make a special consideration, and I brought the deer home. That was almost 20 years ago. Only one is left of the "Santa Paula Five". Her name is Joy and she is 18 years old. Pretty good because the average lifespan of these deer is 12 years.

Since then a lot of other animals have made their way to the ranch. Some because I purchased them like the alpacas, reindeer and guanaco. Some because they needed a place to go like Valentine, the bison.

Valentine was born into a herd of 300 bison just at the time they were being sold for slaughter. I got a call from the seller saying he didn't feel right sending a new calf off, and would I take him?

How could I say no?

The yak came from Mendocino where they were literally starving. The woman who had them had 27 total, along with about 35 sheep, and she was feeding them all bread from the food bank! She was a very nice woman, but things had gotten out of hand and here she was, a hoarder who could not let go. I got her to let me take six yak home along with about 20 sheep. Then, something changed and she wanted them back. Why is it that helping someone can get you in so much trouble? I ended up in court to protect the animals from her. In the end, I was awarded the six yak, but the rest of her animals were seized by animal control and I have no idea what happened to them.

Sometimes a purchase feels a lot like a rescue. Case in point, Walter the camel, our newest addition. I bought Walter from a guy in Oregon. Everything was done online. When I went to pick up Walter, I could not believe how skinny and stunted he was. He literally had no hump, and for a camel, that is trouble. It indicates that he has not been getting enough to eat. For almost a nano second, I thought about taking my money back and passing, but then I came to my senses. Thank God I did.

Walter was a lot sicker than I had realized. His condition was not just about food. It was a case of total neglect. He was so full of parasites he could never eat enough to feed them let alone himself. He was literally dying. Of course, I did not figure this out right away. I tried getting him on some nutritious food, but his appetite was fading quickly. I wormed him at my vet's suggestion, and it seemed to help for about a minute.

He was with me almost a month when I made arrangements to move him up to UC Davis. The morning I was to transport him, I put him in the trailer and I knew: He was done. He would not survive the 7 hour trip, so I started calling vets. First my large animal vet, but he was out of the area. Next a new vet who did not call back. Finally I called Dr. Bosma of North Valley Veterinary Clinic. He takes care of my dogs. "Bring him in", was the immediate answer. So, off we went. Turns out Walter's parasite count was so high the lab stopped counting!

From that moment on, Walter has had the best care from the most caring people possible. Since the beginning of November, he has had two blood transfusions courtesy of Mac, one of my other camels. The improvement was dramatic, but he still needed more. To improve his immune system and bring up his protein levels, he was given a plasma transfusion. Today, he continues to improve. He will probably always be small, but he will live.

Zoe, my two year old Grant's zebra came off one of those canned hunting ranches in Texas. I wanted a zebra and decided that buying one that might otherwise be hunted and shot was a good choice. Zoe is one of the sweetest zebra I have ever handled. Maybe she knows that she could have ended up on some rich man's wall.

Horses have come and gone, but Nacho, the first horse I got long ago from the humane society is still here.

Occcasionally I have come home to find someone has dropped off sheep and goats. I hate when this happens, I feel it puts my animals at risk of disease, but I manage to find a place for them.

I am not a rescue, although Kern County seems to believe I am. They have filed a lien against my property saying among other things, I am a shelter. I am just someone doing what she loves, and whenever possible, helping out. These animals have become family. I provide for them by working really hard. The money you spend on Saturdays goes toward education through The Animal Education Center, a 501C(3) non-profit whose goal it is to teach proper care along with responsibility. I profit in no way from sharing my animals. I do it out of love.

So, come on out and visit the animals. They have come from far and wide, and are helping to educate people in so many ways. Come on out and share the love.

The ranch is open Saturdays only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Directions: From Tehachapi take Highline east to Tehachapi Willow Springs, turn right and drive 11 miles to the "OPEN" banner and turn right up the dirt road. Give us a call at (661) 809-3965.

See our ad on page 17 of this issue for more information.