HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary

Sony Pulitzer Project: Report. A documentary demonstrating a world without judgment featuring HartSong Ranch and music from Rob Carona. The inspiring (and sometimes heart-wrenching) events they face in their selfless efforts to care for disabled animals. Kathy & Jim Hart share the beauty and lessons of compassion through these majestic creatures with the people of their community.

HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary

HartSong Ranch: A sanctuary for blind and disabled animals in Greenwood, CA. 15 of the most beautiful acres in the Eldorado foothills. And some of the most caring people you'll ever meet. www.hartsongranch.org

Blind Baby Cow Woodrow's Morning Milk At HartSong Ranch

WOODROW, A VERY HAPPY BLIND BABY COW!!!

He came to live at the HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary at just 3 weeks old. This video of Woodrow, “in mega play mode”, was shot one week later.

Of the many remarkable things about Woodrow, is his ability to detect “mass”…something…anything in front of him that might be a hazard, even though totally blind. We were able to capture this “gift” on the first day we allowed him away from the safety of his paddock when he made an immediate decision to “slam on the brakes” just before colliding with the fence and then, a few seconds later, he made the same decision before running into the car. How does he do this? What does he know that we do not? Fascinating!!! The truth of the matter is he’s most likely to bonk his head while exploring or grazing, something he does very slowly, so it really isn’t much of a “bonk” to begin with.

Now 4 months old, he is the master of his surroundings and much to Woodrow’s delight, everyday he discovers something new. Just a few days ago, I caught a glimpse of him meandering down the gravel road, a path he had not yet taken. Step by step, he courageously figures it out. His vibrant spirit-to-be, his happiness and undeniable love of life are just a few of the reasons why we do what we do within the gates of HartSong.

How to Help the HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary

One would think a blind horse very uncomfortable with anything but all 4 feet on the ground, but not Ciara. I snapped this photo when she was just 10 months old. Ciara is, without a doubt, the happiest little blind filly in the whole wide world. Way to go, girl!

How to Help

HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organization
All contributions are 100% tax-deductible. Donations, unless otherwise specified, deposit into the general fund and are used for medical care, food, shelter and farrier services.
In support of our charitable mission, there are many ways to help the disabled animals at the sanctuary:

Donate online using your credit card.

Make a donation at any Wells Fargo branch to the HartSong Ranch Donations account.
Mail your donation to:HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary3900 Blue Heron WayGreenwood, CA 95635

Join The Friends of Ciara ClubDue to the out-pouring of love and interest in this beautiful filly, we decided to form The Friends of Ciara Club. Your support helps the sanctuary provide the special care she requires. She has much to learn about the world in the coming years. We graciously invite you to become a “Friend of Ciara” and support her journey. Membership is just $25. You will receive a hand written thank you, a portrait photograph of Ciara and quarterly email updates, complete with photos and/or video clips documenting her accomplishments and antics.

Attend one of our volunteer days to work on special projects or work with the animals. Please call us at 530-887-1263 or email Jim Hart. We will put your name on the volunteer list and notify you of upcoming volunteer days.

Our Wish List -

If interested in donating via Gift Certificate, please call Carolynne at Cool Feed and Ranch Supply, 530-887-0200 in Cool, CA.

FEED AlfalfaAlfalfa pelletsPurina Equine Senior Wheat BranRice BranBeet PulpFlax Seed Meal
SUPPLEMENTS Dynamite Plus Vitamin/MineralAni-flex joint supportMSMProbios (Probiotics) MISCELLANEOUS Fly Masks (Average horse)Fly sheets (small, medium and large)Muck forksMuck CartsWood Shavings (pine/fur)
TREATS CarrotsApplesPeaches (Ciara LOVES Peaches)

Please be assured that HartSong Ranch will never share or sell your proprietary information with any other individuals or organizations.

Thank you!

HartSong Ranch - Raindance - Saving a Starved Horse

Beautiful Raindance

Raindance lived with the same family until she was 29 years old. She was the family horse. One day, for reason’s unknown, her long time owner’s put her in a stall with a bit of food and water, drove away and abandoned her. When authorities found her, she was 400 pounds under weight and unable to stand. Animal Control officer’s decided the best course of action was euthanasia. Fortunately, a kind-hearted neighbor lady, familiar with horses and aware of Raindance’s history, stepped up and asked if she could try to save her life instead of putting her down. They agreed to let her try.

About a month later, I met Raindance for the first time, a day I shall never forget. She displayed no emotion what-so-ever…didn’t raise her head…didn’t move her eyes…didn’t move away…didn’t do or acknowledge anything. She was defeated. We knew right then and there we had to bring her home to HartSong. Nursing a starved horse back to a healthy weight can be a very tricky endeavor. Knowing her digestive system needed time to reacquaint itself with the action of processing food and not wanting to overwhelm her already challenged state, we decided to eliminate all hay from her diet. Instead, 4 times a day and in very small amounts, she received a watered down mash of Purina Equine Senior, Purina Amplify, a bit of beet pulp, vitamins, minerals and probiotics. She savored every meal and sure enough, slowly but surely, her light began to shine.

"I can see you!"

Now 32 years old, Raindance is a healthy, energetic, beautiful Appaloosa mare, free to roam on 15 acres with her best buddy, Dandy, a 34 year old Quarter Horse. Raindance is a shining example of how good nutrition, good exercise and lots of good lovin’ can bring out the brilliant beauty and vibrant spirit of a once discarded and forgotten old horse. Shine on, Raindance! SHINE ON!!!

How to Help HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organization. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible. Donations, unless otherwise specified, deposit into the general fund and are used for medical care, food, shelter and farrier services. In support of our charitable mission, there are many ways to help the disabled animals at the sanctuary: Donate online using your credit card. Access our secure donations page here

HartSong Ranch - Meet Miss Frizzle

Sweet "Frazzled" Frizzle

She is a “Frizzle” chicken by breed. Even so, we decided to call her “Frizzle”. How could we not? What name could be better? Before HartSong, she lived for 3 long years in a crowded, un-tended coop, spending most of her time hiding under just about anything, trying with all her might, to survive. As you can see, most of her feathers are gone, plucked out by the other hens in the coop that quite obviously, “did not like her”.

Frizzle on the move

She appears to have some sort of deformity in her feet, causing her to stagger occasionally, as if drunk. We find this little “hitch-in-her -giddy-up” quite charming even though I’m certain it’s the reason for her battle scars. Just the same, everyone at HartSong finds her adorable. One thing’s for sure, she’s a survivor. Only 6 days at the sanctuary and everyday, she is happier than the day before. I haven’t a clue as to when her feathers will return but already, her dignity is on the rise. Someday soon, her spirit will shine. After all, her name is ”Frizzle”…

About Rhythms of the Ranch HartSong Ranch grants permanent sanctuary to animals with disabilities. Most of our residents are blind. All require some kind of specialized care. Our mission is to provide a landscape of quiet and tranquility for the animals that live here – a sanctuary where they can enjoy nature, peace of mind and rejuvenated spirits.

We invite you to experience the joy in knowing them. Their stories are inspiring and their lives profoundly worthwhile.

Please feel free to visit our website.
If you wish to make a donation to HartSong Ranch, click here