Financial strain puts SoCal humane rescue sanctuaries on the brink, animals at risk
Key takeaways
- A video tour of the sanctuary posted in 2023 showed horses grazing and galloping across a vast expanse of the 40-acre property in Julian and a cattery where felines lounged in cat condos.
- Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, said in a statement. “There is no question at all about the neglect, at the very least, that occurred out there.”
- In March, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control recovered hundreds of dogs and cats from a home in a rural part of Lake Hughes operating as an animal rescue.
The Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Shelter is pictured in 2021. Several large-scale animal rescues have occurred across Southern California this year, raising alarms among advocates about a lack of oversight and funding constraints for organizations. (Madeleine Hordinski / Los Angeles Times ) By Hannah Fry Staff Writer Follow May 9, 2026 3 AM PT 7 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, a sprawling animal sanctuary tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County, billed itself for years as a place where unwanted animals could find love and a second chance at life.
A video tour of the sanctuary posted in 2023 showed horses grazing and galloping across a vast expanse of the 40-acre property in Julian and a cattery where felines lounged in cat condos.