Our History

Fiscal Year 2010

Cimmaron Sanctuary was incorporated as a 501 (c ) 3 in April 2010 in the State of California.  Later that year we established fiscal sponsorship with the PAKT Foundation (People, Animals, Kids Together and formed in 2004) to enable donations to be tax-deductible.  Please visit them at www.paktfoundation.com. Tax ID# is 20-1580535.

 

In October 2010 we held our first fundraiser jointly with SAFER, at the Washoe Creek Golf Course.  The facility was donated by Alice Larsen of Larsen's Feed.

 

In December 2010 we hosted our first visit from the Cypress School, Classroom One (see section on Autism - The Horses' and Donkey's Point of View).

Fiscal Year 2011

2011 was our first full year of operations, and we accomplished a lot, including:

 

  • We were insrumental in placing two horses into permanent homes, Dinero and Beau.
  • Wizard, who had been outbid from the kill buyers at auction, was adopted to avoid euthanasia for dangerous behavior from bad training experiences.
  • Noble was adopted to work in the Horsemanship Program.  His owner was going to "take him home and shoot him" when he couldn't pay the training bills.  The trainer took the horse and gave him a home, but he didn't have a job or a purpose.  Now, he's in a world of excitement and activity.
  • We have subsidized feed, board, farriery, worming, and/or blankets for three horses whose families are experiencing financial difficulties.  This subsidization is expected to be short-term, and the purpose is to prevent more horses becoming rescues and at high risk.
  • We served as a field-trip destination site for the classrooms at Cypress School, a school for autistic children based in Petaluma, Ca.  The children ranged in age from 8-22 years old, from moderately to severely autistic and verbal to nonverbal.
  • Hosted the HoofBeats Program, which teaches horsmanship starting on the ground with the miniature donkey, graduating to horses, then eventually learning to ride.  Children experience communication with horses in an outdoor setting conducive to personal growth and life experience.
  • Relocated a satelite HoofBeats operation to Sonoma Mountain Equestrian Center for indoor/covered facilities to support year-round activities.
  • Relocated the Sanctuary horses to pasture/shelter for retirement and/or layup or furlough.