HELPING EAST COUNTY ANIMALS TOGETHER

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By Mimi Pollack

Photo courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctuary

March 19, 2023 (Alpine) -- An East County animal sanctuary is in trouble and needs the community’s help. Local humanitarian Agnes Barrelet heads up The San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm in Alpine, a nonprofit, where she and her crew tend to a varied menagerie of animals in need.

Formerly known as the Children's Nature Retreat, this rural 20-acre property in Alpine is a haven for all kinds of animals, including zebras, horses, African cows, camels, mules, donkeys, rabbits, mini horses, mini goats, mini pigs, ostriches, emus, desert tortoises, and more. They have 200 hundred animals with over 95 domesticated livestock, 29 different species and 78 breeds from around the world. There are several animal enclosures, including Barnyard Alley, Tortoise Landing, African Grasslands, and Mini and Big Farms.

Photo right courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctary

Barrelet is known for rescuing animals in need, but that is something she is not going to be able to do anymore without the community’s help.

Last September, she received a call about two pigs wandering on Japatul Rd. She rescued them and as it turned out, the female was pregnant, so she now has four extra pigs. Then, she got another call about a wandering emu which she also rescued. Finally, there was an African Grey that a couple could not keep anymore, plus a goose and cat that were found on a property near her farm.

When Barrelet opened the Children’s Nature Retreat in 2017 with her life savings, she was inspired to open a sanctuary that inner city children could visit and have a country experience, which is why she chose the original name. She also wanted it to be an enjoyable day escape for people who wanted to picnic or for families to have an up-close encounter with one of her very friendly animals--a place where people could enjoy being in the country, communing with animals, and learning about them.

Photo left courtesy Mimi Pollack

Unfortunately, the pandemic, inflation, and the rising cost of feeding all the animals, plus all the recent rain has really hurt her bottom line and now the sanctuary is operating on a day-to-day basis. Many of the groups, families, and daily visitors that she relied on for revenue stopped coming.

She changed the name to San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm to more reflect what the sanctuary does and that has helped a little, but not enough with the rising costs and lack of visitors during the pandemic, plus all the recent rain. So Barrelet is reaching out and asking for help.

How can you help? There are several ways. You can go to the website and make a donation which is 100% tax deductible, but better yet, you should visit to see what a wonderful place the sanctuary is.

Photo right courtesy Mimi Pollack

To make it easy for people to visit, right now the sanctuary is open seven days a week with no appointment necessary. It offers a 10% discount to Alpine residents, first responders, teachers, military personnel, and veterans. There is a 15% discount to groups of 12 or more. The sanctuary offers hot pre-packaged meals, snacks, ice cream, and beverages or guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. Visitors can stay all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo left courtesy Mimi Pollack

The sanctuary tries to keep rates affordable for everyone to enjoy the animals. What is so nice about this place is that you can have a distinct experience each time you visit, which makes this facility unique.

Finally, Easter is coming up. San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm is known for its famous Easter egg hunts. This year, the event runs from Thursday, April 6 to Sunday, April 9 at 11 a.m. There will be 4,000 eggs for the children with a limit of 12 to 14 eggs per basket, which they also offer. The Easter Bunny will be there to greet the children and take pictures.  The cost is $12 plus regular admission.

With the community’s help, this East County treasure will be there for all to enjoy for many years to come.

The sanctuary is working on a new website with its new name, but the current one is www.childrensnatureretreat.org.

 


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