Giving Abused Horses a Second Chance
At what price and how far can a person go in exchange for short entertainment? Have you heard of the longest-running prison rodeo in Louisiana, where offenders, prison employees, and civilians who live near the prison area take a day to watch this event? This is where our dearest Rat and Alice came from.
Imagine spending your entire life working day in and day out with no rest. When you can no longer perform your duties, you are tossed aside to suffer a violent death. This is the tragic reality for many horses like Rat and Alice. These two gentle souls endured years of exploitation. They were forced to breed repeatedly, haul heavy equipment for over 10 grueling hours a day, and perform in chaotic prison rodeos. Their well-being was ignored. Excessive overwork led to painful injuries, but veterinary care was never provided.
Once Rat and Alice's bodies gave out, they were headed for slaughter - a terrifying fate. 92% of horses killed in slaughterhouses are healthy, but greed takes precedence over compassion. As long as horse slaughter exists, the cycle of overbreeding and neglect continues. Slaughter has never been, and will never be, a solution for abuse and neglect.
A couple of months ago, Randy was alerted about Rat and Alice and their disappointing future – they would go to the slaughterhouse. They would be on their way to the slaughterhouse, robbing them of ever having a second chance at life. Without hesitation, Randy said, "Yes, I'll take them," and their lives were spared. Today, the ranch team will go and pick them up. They will have a new life, a new beginning at the ranch. Once they arrive at the ranch, their physical and emotional wounds can finally heal. They will receive proper nutrition, medical treatment, and, most importantly, the gentle handling they have always dreamed of.
As Randy travels many miles to bring Rat and Alice home, please consider giving generously. For $500, you can rename these horses, erasing the pain of their past identities. For $250 or more, you'll be invited to meet them personally during a private ranch visit. Even small contributions make a big difference! With your support, these innocent horses can transform from voiceless victims into cherished companions.
By donating today, you can provide Rat and Alice with the care they need and deserve. Your gift will help cover transportation, medical treatment, and ongoing rehabilitation costs so they can heal from past trauma. With your support, these gentle horses will finally receive the individual attention, affection, and safety denied to them for too long. Let's show Rat and Alice that humans are capable of compassion. Your donation declares that no being deserves to suffer for our entertainment. Let's provide hope and refuge to horses who have only known hardship. Claim their right to live in peace by donating now.
Join Randy in giving Rat and Alice a second chance! Every horse is a pet, a riding companion, and Rat and Alice will be lifelong companions for someone who is compassionate and values every life so cruelly exploited. Let compassion prevail.
Sept 29, 2022
Helping Save Charles
September 29th is a date I will never forget. Awoken by a call by the O’Fallon Police Department informing me one of the ranch residents, Willow, was running loose and another had been critically wounded. Having had a similar incident in the recent past, my heart dropped to the floor and I was wide awake.
Our beloved Charles, a 12-year-old blind in one eye thoroughbred, had been badly injured by someone, or something. The inside of his back leg had been slashed open with a 12” wound so deep you could see bone. His nonstop bleeding and demeanor made it obvious, he was in pain.
Staff jumped into high gear as I called our veterinarians, Dr. Olivia and Dr. Ford, to see if either was available for an emergency visit. Thankfully Dr. Ford was able to come immediately, and she certainly is no stranger to medical emergencies.
Dr. Ford spent many hours putting her surgical skills to the test while Charles stood like a champ knowing we are trying to save him.
Charles endured 30 stitches and 2 drains. He will be on stall rest, with short walks, antibiotics, pain meds and healing creams prescribed by the vet. His poor leg is very swollen. We are praying for a full recovery, but must watch him carefully for fever, inflamed heated leg and poor drainage.
Your compassion and generosity make helping our animals possible. Please consider making a donation towards Charles’ recovery.
August 24, 2022
Welcome Mercy and Skip to RRR!
Today, with the help of our friend Angie Vest, we welcomed 2 new rescues to the ranch, Skip and Mercy. These poor horses traveled from a kill-pen just outside Dallas, TX, where they were left to starve to death, or go to slaughter — whichever came first.
Mercy, the Bay, is a 13 year old mare. She has been suffering from severe neglect. She is emaciated, has conjunctivitis, and her hooves are in terrible condition.
Skip, the white gelding, is only 5 but he looks like he is 15 due to his horrible body condition and neglected hooves.
Thank you to the kind souls who donated to name our new residents. Tomorrow they will see our vet and amazing farrier as well as they begin their rehabilitation.
August 24, 2022
The Story of Dot
Dot is a 25 year old mare who came to us with her 2 other friends GoGo & Geneva from a sticky situation, a farm was abandoned and left on the ransacked property were the 3 horses and goats. Bones of animals lie in firepit’s on the property. Dot was in bad shape, blind in one eye and burrs matting her entire mane and tail. With a tattoo on her inner lip we know she was an ex-racehorse. We are making sure she never has to deal with neglect or abuse again, she will be loved from here on out!
She has since been adopted by am amazing previous adopter so that she may live out the rest of her live in green pastures.
Dot on the day of her arrival.
Dot getting a bath the day of her adoption!
Jan 14, 2018
Caboose - Hit by a train and blind
Caboose is a miracle!
A call came into Randy’s Rescue Ranch by local authorities about a horse that was hit by a train on December 4th, 2018. When the team arrived to the scene, they soon realized this is no ordinary horse. He was still bleeding through multiple gashes, yet stood, eating grass, like nothing happened. It was soon learned the 13 – 15 year old horse, soon dubbed “Caboose” by Randy, was blind and had been neglected for many years before this latest incident
Along with the lacerations, Caboose had a torn ligament in his ankle that required immediate surgery by the capable hands of Dr. Lee. For several days, it was “wait and see”, but now Caboose is on the mend. More care is required before the old boy is fully recovered! The bills continue to mount as Caboose heals.
Help us save our new friend. Caboose has the kindest disposition of any horse I have ever met. If you wish to assist him in his journey back to health, please consider donating our GoFundMe site at https://www.gofundme.com/saving-caboose. Thank you!
To watch his rescue visit:
https://fox2now.com/2018/12/05/animal-rescuers-treating-blind-horse-struck-by-train/
October 21, 2018
Good-Bye Quentin
QUENTIN, THE MIRACLE DOG
I sit here with Quentin next to me knowing that later today I’ll be saying goodbye to a legend, a hero, a best friend, and my dear “kid.” I am crying and heartbroken over this, so I will keep this brief for now and expand on his incredible life. My heart will have to wait for later.
Quentin has done more for animal welfare than any human ever could. Surviving the gas chamber in 2003, he picked me to be his partner to close down numerous animal death chambers across the country, but his miracles didn’t stop there.
My miracle buddy also helped to spearhead the no-kill movement, an animal abuse task force, a shelter to protect the abused and forgotten, all the while keeping his dad, me, feeling loved and sane. He changed the landscape of an entire city, and I pray his legacy continues to be a driving force for a humane nation for all animals.
He lives with me at my rescue ranch, Randy’s Rescue Ranch, spending his golden days on this amazing property-- his final miracle. The ranch has a farmhouse, Katy Favre Hospice House, solely dedicated to once abused dogs with chronic impairments, hospice needs, and old age. They are another forgotten group in America’s animal shelter system. Quentin has spent the past year at the hospice house with other senior dogs and at my side. I pray that more cities nationwide adopt a plan like this, and for that to become one more miracle accomplished by the love of my life, Quentin.
Daddy loves you forever and ever.
Donations made to this memorial fund benefits the Hospice House at Randy's Rescue Ranch.
August 13, 2018
Esperanza - Hell on Earth
This donkey’s living situation was so upsetting it rattled the vet and farrier.
Esperanza is healing through your geneoristy, please continue to give!
I wrote this in August but never used it, but as her bills rack up I hope people will give. I want everyone to feel the amazing love that comes from her too!
For August there is a chill in the air, and I take stock of the animals as I walk towards one of the barns. Clouds are starting to clear and the sounds of the farm begin to sing and the sun begins to rise. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. A day like today should be all you need to have an amazing day, but it wasn’t. The largest no-kill animal shelter I founded decades ago is struggling, my mom died this week a year ago and I am hurting in the soul and I have to have my finger amputated in just days. To put it blunt, I am depressed. I do breathe in the crisp air and say good morning to my animals in the barn.
As I turn on the light I hear Esperanza sing, Johnny with a moo and Pickles oinking up a storm for her food. Feeling the way I am I go to the burro’s stall and step in. Esperanza is to me what most people think of when they then think of unicorns.....magical. Exuding a special kindness, empathy and understanding I lay my head on hers and we hug for a few minutes. I didn’t talk but I did start to cry, at first from the pain in my heart but then for the love I was getting from one of God’s creatures and how deeply that affected me.
Esperanza means “hope” in Spanish. This 18 year old donkey has had a rough, abusive life. Living in squalor and in pain with her feet so neglected she can barely walk. She is here now and I promised this sweetie only the best medical care and of course love. Her medical care and hoof care is ongoing with Dr. Lee and the farrier, Dan so please donate today so we can help her.
Pickles the Miracle Pig Aug 1
The Rescue Ranch has been in overdrive saving lives lately. With Randy on the mend from his aneurysms, we have racked up some hefty vet bills and other expenses to care for these amazing survivors from abuse. Our newest “kid” is Pickles. She barely beat death dodging highway traffic.
Our Purpose
Have you ever wondered what is your purpose and what you should do with the life you are given? I think most people, at various times of their lives, wonder about their life’s purpose. Does God have a specific plan for us or is everything coincidental? With everything happening at the ranch, there have been a few conversations surrounding the topic. Is our purpose and our journey predefined or are our lives and our purpose fluid and subject to change based on our decisions.
My journey brought me to the ranch. I thought of this opportunity as a way of healing myself, but was there another purpose to this part of my journey? Was my journey to the ranch one of those moments in time with multiple purposes? Was I supposed to be here when Randy and the ranch needed me the most? Randy survived an aortic aneurism that is normally fatal. Yet here he is, improving each day. Does God have a special purpose for him? I think we all know Randy has had a purpose his entire life; to save as many animals as possible. Perhaps nearly losing him is a reminder to all of us that there is still so much more for us to do. I cannot imagine what would have happened to the ranch if we had lost him.
Sometimes I wish we could just wake up and clearly know what we are supposed to do, but then I realize that we are not given one purpose in life, but rather many. Most of us have had experiences of being at the right place at the right time. Something as simple as being there to catch someone as they fall may have been our purpose at that moment in time. Personally, I am beginning to think that those big “Ah ha” moments we experience may be God’s way of adjusting our compass but we have many more moments in our lives where we are fulfilling our purpose without acknowledging or even recognizing it is part of our journey.
As I am sure you all know by now, I love to watch the animals at the ranch. I wonder if they ever think about their purpose. Do they know why they are here and what purpose they may have as part of the ranch’s journey? Many say animals are intuitive and have a special ability to connect with people and understand us even better than we understand ourselves. Jake, who was adopted by Randy, seems to have a very unique way of knowing what Randy needs. They communicate in a way beyond the spoken word. Is that Jake’s purpose? Johnny, our little longhorn that Randy rescued, has gone from being the one saved to the one saving all of us. Anyone who has spent time with him recognizes he is a special little bull. Was he spared in order to be here when he is needed the most? A therapy longhorn in the making? I look at Picasso and I see beyond her scars. She is a beautiful horse and she carries herself with a very regal inner beauty. Was she destined to be injured so she would find her way here in order to be part of the healing ranch? Everything we do, and all those we meet along our journey (human or animal) have crossed our lives for a purpose. How often do we fail to recognize that simple concept.
The Journey Feb 09
PABLO, PICASSO, AND SWAY'S RESCUE STORY
Sometimes I hold off on sharing a rescue story because I need time to process the experience. If you’re an avid follower of Stray Rescue, you probably have heard of the Bayou Project – our partnership with Stacey from the St. Landry Parish Louisiana Animal Control & Rescue. Since opening Randy’s Rescue Ranch, we have expanded this life saving program to include large animals in addition to dogs. This is where the story begins.
The journey to St. Landry’s Parish in Louisiana is daunting to say the least. This trip included fourteen hours of traffic and flat tires, but we drove through the day and night with determination and a horse trailer in tow. Rain poured in a steady hammering stream as the morning approached. Driving through Odessa, Louisiana – one of the most impoverished communities in the United States – I anticipated the heartbreak I have every time I make this journey. Finally, the Parish Animal Control & Rescue was within sight. We started to spot the rural fields of mud and rain soaked animals, and our hearts sank. This was Gino’s first trip to St. Landry Parish, so I warned him to prepare for heartbreak but to be strong. We will grab a drink later to debrief.
Horses in different stages of poor health exude hopelessness as their cold wet bodies trek through the mud and manure. We hear the frantic barking of the droves of unwanted dogs living in similar conditions as the horses holler in hope that we are the unfamiliar faces that have come to save them. I ask God to give us the strength to do the best we can.
Knowing I only have room to bring back two horses and a dog, I already felt defeated. But then Stacey, the Director of the St. Landry Parish Animal Control & Rescue came out to greet us and gave me a warm southern hug. This isn’t her fault, it’s the citizens and their government’s fault for not caring enough to fund or build a humane shelter. People discard their animals in this parish as if throwing away an old newspaper they never read. To me, Stacey is a hero. With no funding and dated regulations put on her shoulders, the only way out is for her to reach out to other no-kill rescue groups. Stacey is the networking queen of the Bayou, and she loves these animals. She lives for these animals.
Savannah and Van Gogh, mom and colt, was who I was hoping to bring back but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Their day is coming soon, though. Instead, I met a horse with a horrifying abuse story who we named Picasso. She had lost half the side of her face after being tied to a trailer and purposely dragged under it. Alongside her was her best friend, an 18 month old mare we named Pablo. We loaded up both horses in the dark amidst the poor weather conditions. Pablo and Picasso received their golden tickets out of there!
And then there was Sway.
In a crate in a trailer Stacey works out of was a giant, big headed dog named Sway. His crate was next to two giant lizards, a prairie dog and some tiny dogs. Sleep deprived, I felt like Alice in Wonderland who just fell through the rabbit hole. Stacey told me about Sway’s abuse, then tells me he has cancer on top of all of it. She asked if I would take him and let him live the rest of his days at the ranch’s hospice and assisted living farmhouse for dogs. I knew I just gave the remaining ticket to freedom to this giant Italian mastiff, Sway.
With Gino’s and Stacey’s help, we loaded up our precious cargo and headed back to what they will think is paradise. And guess what? They do!!!
Watching Pablo and Picasso run, eat plenty of food and rest in their comfortable shelter is such a gratifying experience. Seeing Sway have all the comforts of a real home and friends to play with warm my heart. Their bad days are over, and now only love will be shown to these three precious animals.
Soon more dogs and more horses who desperately need us will be coming to the ranch. But we need your love and support to continue to give out these precious tickets to freedom and continue this life saving work. Please give generously so the freedom train continues to always run!
Love,
Randy and the RRR staff and volunteers
Never knew I could love a baby cow, but I do Jan 17
The night of January 5th was bitter cold. Single digit cold. Smells from a beef roast in the oven permeated my tiny studio that sits next to a barn on the farm. Chores were done, animals were in their stalls and the dogs were warm on their cozy beds. We all were settled in to endure another cold night, but that wasn’t going to be the case.
Evening checks on all the animals isn’t uncommon, like a parent checking in on their kids at night. A rustle in the pasture and the sounds of a longhorn mom grabbed our attention and had us peering into the partial barn area. We could see a petite figure of an animal and heard dejected cries that pierced my heart. Johnny was just born.
“Let Mother Nature do her thing, Randy,” and “Longhorns are hearty animals” was what I was being told as I gazed upon Johnny and an uninterested mom. My gut was screaming THIS IS NOT NORMAL and as my gut screamed to me, Big Red Momma (the mother’s name) walked away from her baby and joined the rest of the herd feeding on a hay bail. Johnny’s cries stopped as his placenta covered body turned into a glaze of ice.
Alone and in the dark, I picked up his frozen body and began to run while praying that God gave me the strength and keep him alive. The farmhouse was quite far away, and as I ran, as I stumbled and even as I dropped his body, I knew I needed a miracle.
“Please come help me,” I texted to a new farm friend of mine. “Hurry. I think he is dying.” Johnny was with me now in the farmhouse under blankets as I began to rub his body as hard as I could, trying to heat up his small frame. I was soon joined by my friend Debbie who came with a heating pad. We both continued to work on Johnny as I called for an emergency farm veterinarian, Dr. Lee.
His legs were so frozen that a block of ice felt warmer. His body was so cold. Now armed with a space heater, heating pad and more blankets we continued to try to save our calf. When Dr. Lee walked into the house, I thought I could exhale a little but that wasn’t the case, again.
Johnny didn’t register a temperature at first, but Dr. Lee immediately started saving his life from hypothermia and frostbite and as he worked on him he said words I will never forget, “We will need to go milk the mom for her colostrum.”
I truly thought the doctor was insane. Then I hear my friend say, “I will call my husband Dan to come help.” I blurted out, “HAVE YOU MET HER?” Come on, she is the bull you see in movies with horns even bigger. She isn’t a toy poodle. Knowing Johnny would die without his mother’s milk, I stopped joking and just said, “let’s do this.” Let’s lasso a giant red pissed off longhorn in subzero temps at night. Me, a gay urban wanna be cowboy.….me?
It was as hard and as impossible as I thought it would be, but Dr. Lee finally lassoed Big Red. I grabbed the rope, Dan grabbed the horns, and the Doc milked one angry cow. We did it! And as we walked back to the farmhouse I was christened, Rodeo Randy. I liked that.
Johnny couldn’t nurse on any bottle, from a calf bottle to a baby bottle. He was the smallest calf Dr. Lee has ever seen, and he lives on a cattle farm. Our baby was 1/3 the size of a normal calf weighing in at 30 pounds. After a tube feeding, Johnny was off to the ICU at the University of Missouri. His best chance of surviving.
I threw the roast in the trash. I just couldn’t eat it.
Days passed with some pretty dreadful updates at first. Then the news I was waiting for that he is ready to come home. Picking him up, I realized something. I loved him. I loved him no different from one of my dogs. I loved him as a family member. I loved him with all my heart.
Back at the ranch, Johnny seemed to do well at first, taking the bottle; he was happy. Then that suddenly stopped. He refused to suckle and sported a fever. Our hearts sank, and we all knew what we had to do – send him back to the University. As I write this, I know he is having good days and some bad ones. From ulcers to diarrhea, from suckling to not eating, his road to recovery will be long. When Johnny comes marching home this time, I pray it is for good! He will be raised by us here at the ranch, and God willing, he will be a therapeutic longhorn steer when he grows up. And yes, you guessed it, He will be one of my kids.
I love you, Johnny.
The Gift of Life! Dec 05
NEWBORNS ON THE WAY!
The holidays are a time for love, hope and giving. With its array of animals from senior dogs to longhorn cattle, the rescue ranch is truly a magical and peaceful place. Each animal has an incredible story to tell. Jenny and her baby donkey, Forest, survived Hurricane Harvey only to be attacked by coyotes while waiting to be rescued. And then there is Gypsy and her baby pony who was drowning in a marsh. But now they are here. They are loved, happy, safe and warm. What we didn’t expect was so many pregnancies. Gypsy has a bun in the oven and so does her friend, Jenny. Three cattle are pregnant – one possibly with twins. And they’re all due around Christmas Day!
Our holiday wish of giving all the expected babies a great start and the promise of wonderful life ahead requires a helping hand from you! The care and veterinarian bills could be a hardship for the ranch, but with your support, the gift of life and hope to make these new beginnings a true holiday miracle for the ranch is possible.
Please give today and join me in making our first holiday season at Randy’s Rescue Ranch a very special one as we welcome the new babies. You can even name one of the newborns!
With Gratitude and Love,
Randy Grim
Mr. McGillicuddy comes to the Ranch! Nov 14
THIS SWEET GOAT NEEDED A SAFE PLACE TO COME AFTER BEING ABANDONED
Mr. McGillicuddy came to Randy's Rescue Ranch as a part of Stray Rescue's Bayou Project. He was rescued after being abandoned in a locked house, with no food or water. Upon rescue, he was almost dead from starvation. He was transported from Louisiana to O'Fallon, IL where he was given a safe place to heal, both physically and emotionally. He was given good food, warm hay, his own warm stall, and learned to walk on a leash! He is now thriving and in an amazing foster home.