Hope Ranch Animal Rescue

Sharing Is Year Round at Hope Ranch Rescue Facility

(Reprinted from Malibu Surfside News, December 31, 2009 Issue) 

THERAPY—Malibuite Trish Van Devere leads Ariel who sits astride a horse also named Ariel around the ring at the Hope Ranch Animal Rescue. Nancy Rosenquist

But Morris has chosen to not stop at just animal rescue. The ranch, a work in progress, is now being offered as a gathering place for groups to experience the connections that can be made between humans and animals. “This is more than just a sanctuary,” says Morris. “It’s an opportunity of offering the calmness of this place through the support of our animal rescue. I want to open [my] doors to others and [create] a mushroom effect.”

This said, Morris recently hosted participants in a Disabled Veterans group who came for the ‘calm’ of the day and a multitude of animal hugs. Morris’ philosophy is simple: “We want to give people a hands on, nice natural feeling. Animals are nurturing. They teach you a lot.”

On Dec. 23, the Friendship Circle, a group of children with special needs, made what Morris hopes will become a yearly visit to Hope Ranch. According to Mariam RavNoy, Program Director, “It costs three times as much to take care of special needs children [in a camp setting]. We have a team of teenage volunteers from throughout the Los Angeles Jewish community who give their time during Winter Camp. Lori is so generous. [Hope Ranch] is therapeutic for the kids, they are really able to connect with the animals here.”

In this time of financial upheaval, as more and more animals are given away and disposed of by their “caring” humans, Morris has not lost sight of what really pulls us through in dire times, “I like to do nice things, that’s what you’re supposed to do in life…give back.”

For more information about Hope Ranch Animal Rescue call 310-457-0213.

BY NANCY ROSENQUIST

We have just received a shipment of approximately 20 Baby Parakeets from our Northern California Bird Division. They are ready for adoption and are looking for good homes.

Call Lori Morris at (310) 457-0213 for more information.

Here is the newest addition to the Hope Ranch Animal Rescue. One picture is with Penny, who drove from  Gardnerville, NV this morning to bring her to us. Joie is an Abbott's Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. She will be neighbors with Dakota, my Moluccan who is being very polite and at ease in her company. Dakota is probably happy that there is another Cockatoo for a change. I think Joie will be a wonderful addition as she took instantly to me and is now comfortably visiting with Dakota. I think they are talking about me already! Joie voices a smokers cough and has a variety of things to say. She is in the other room right now whistling tunes with Dakota. I wonder if she is going to learn Mozart with the rest of my whistlers.

 Joie and Dakotah with Penny

Joie with Shareen, Director of Hope Ranch Animal Rescue Bird Rescue

On June 15th, Lori and Bob, two members of Hope Ranch Animal Rescue, were involved in a search for an Emu which has been reported loose and running around in the Malibu Hills. He is definitely not one of our Emus. Ours have just gotten out of the Maternity Ward. One our neighbors, Randy Nauert, shot a whole lot of pictures and put it to music in this video:

Our facilities are open to accommodate groups of children from schools, summer camps or for birthday parties. Our facilities include an arena for events, a round pen & a petting zoo. Prepare to spend the day hiking, picnicking and visiting the animals or just bird watching at Hope Ranch Animal Rescue. Proceeds go to the care and feeding of our rescued animals.

For more information or reservations call Lori at (310) 457-0213.

Watch this column for dates & times of our upcoming planned ranch tours.