For a few hours Saturday Western Ranch & Pet Supply in Vacaville was filled with fur, feathers and smiles as Vacaville-area animal rescue and adoption groups showcased preciously cute critters to an adoring public.
The aim — to make the presence of each organization known to the community while also introducing rescued and adoptable animals, all of whom demanded cuddles and snuggles.
Among the animals visiting Western Ranch were Keanu the rooster with his Hollywood poses, Gus the sleepy bunny and Josephine the clucking chicken, all of Zinger Ranch Farm Sanctuary; Ellie the three-legged goat with the softest coat and sweetest nature, and the regal fluff ball Princess Eloise of Puff, a snow white Silkie, both of Funky Chicken Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.
Deven Rodriguez, 8, quizzed Missy Benzinger with Zinger Ranch about why she rescues animals.
Her response: “We just give them a home so they can be safe.”
Zinger Ranch (at ZingerRanch.org and www.facebook.com/zingerranch) folks and their rescues also provide therapy to first responders, military members, trauma survivors and their families.
Meanwhile at Funky Chicken, (at www.facebook.com/imthefunkychicken and https://funkychickenrescue.com) cofounder Darcy Smith introduced her floof balls to awestruck visitors of all ages.
Ellie the goat, she explained, was attacked by a dog and lost a log. Still, she’s mobile and has a little wheeled cart to help her get around when needed.
Princess Eloise, meanwhile, was misdiagnosed.
“She came to us because someone thought she was blind,” Smith recalled, sweeping back poofy bangs. “She just needed a haircut.”
Funky Chicken goes above and beyond for its rescues, many of whom are special needs. For example, many have wheeled carts while others have specially-made prosthetics.
Representatives of Herd & Flock Animal Sanctuary (at www.facebook.com/herdandflockanimalsanctuary and https://herdandflockanimalsanctuary.org) were also on scene, bringing two coal-colored bunnies to be loved by visitors. Both are up for adoption.
Herd & Flock was founded by Katie Dwight and Meghan Dibble and provides a safe haven for animals rescued from the meat, egg and dairy industries.
The crew from Pits R’ Us All Breed Rescue and Adoptions (at pitsrus.org and www.facebook.com/PitsRUsAllBreedRescue) were also on hand. Pits R’ Us offers a refuge to stray, abandoned and neglected animals who are often sick, injured, pregnant or in danger of being euthanized, officials said, then rehabilitates them so they can be adopted out into loving families.
Lisa Armstrong, a manager at Western Ranch, said the event was a regular one pre-COVID, where five rescues the business hadn’t previously worked with were invited over and promoted. The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the event and, this year, is was revisited.
Which can only be a good thing, Armstrong advised.
“This is my first year getting to do this,” she said. “It’s so fun.”
Western Ranch hosts multiple events throughout the year that benefits both animals and people.For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WesternRanchPetSupply and westernranchandpetsupply.com.
