Update: March 2009
FOSTER DOG PROGRAM
We are in need of foster homes for larger dogs. There are many very nice dogs that are in not-so-good situations or facing homelessness because of the financial crisis. Because we allow our animals of all species to intermingle at Phoenix Ranch, we can't take dogs over 30 lbs for more than a week and have had to turn many dogs away.
If you are considering adding a dog to your household or just want to help prevent dogs from going into the shelter system, please let Dr. Chan know by sending her the information on our Foster Family Application (on the website). She gets many requests to help place dogs and other animals from private home and shelters and will try to match you up with an appropriate one. Logistically, it is easier if you live near Vacaville, Davis or Sacramento.
We also need FOSTER PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS to keep track of requests & animals in the program, make up flyers and website postings, transport animals and generate interest in the program.
RANCH NEWS
Spring is here---and so are the weeds! Now the mud has receded, we've been getting the ranch back into shape for visitors with the help of great volunteers like Sharon Simkin, Richard Kaloi, Andrew & Adam Buderi and Ernest. The pastures are a beautiful green. Here's hoping that years of hand-pulling thistle have resulted in a more pleasant place for both people and animals!
Work on a walk-in aviary is almost done. This will allow visitors to have more room to interact with our parrots and make maintenance much easier.
DAKOTA is a wonderful 3 year old sorrel quarterhorse registered as a Paint. He's so gentle that we lead him around without a rope most of the time. He's about 14 hands (with room to grow) and has good ground manners. We've don't really have time to work with him like he deserves and would like to place him with a good home for a reasonable donation.
NEW ADDITIONS AT PHOENIX RANCH
It's Baby Time! CHICKS are in for our Chicken Project and growing fast. They are already ready to start going to new homes. You might have seen our listings on Craigslist.com. Our next shipment will be in early May. If there is a certain breed you'd like to try, we will see if we can add some to our subsequent hatchery orders.
SUGAR THE BUNNY came to us a few months ago. After living in our hay room for her breaking in period, she is running around the ranch visiting Ray in his shop and the dogs lounging in the sun. She even plays tag with the dogs and pigs. Once, she surprised Dr. Chan late at night by running up behind her in the dark way across the ranch! She has VERY soft fur and will let you pick her up if you sit quietly.
BEATRICE is a Katadhin lamb born to a mother without milk. She has a playpen inside Dr. Chan's kitchen and loves her formula from a Playtex baby bottle. Beatrice follows us around the ranch as we do our chores. In the mornings, you'll see her bouncing around the driveway and on top of the gravel piles with the dogs. She has the nick-name "Bea-Attitude" because she does things like roll a lounging dog off "her" gravel pile.
