‘Mass rescue’ underway at Julian sanctuary to save hundreds of cats, dogs, farm animals
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
Donkeys, alpacas, geese, chickens, roosters, turkeys and goats are among an unknown number of farm animals the San Diego Humane Society stepped in to care for Friday.
Regional animal welfare partners joined the Humane Society in what was described as a “mass rescue” that included 100 cats, 30 dogs and at least 150 horses at a sanctuary in Julian.
The animals are receiving emergency care from the welfare groups after the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and Humane Law Enforcement served a search warrant at the property on Friday.
The rural area is outside the Humane Society’s jurisdiction, but the large scale of the rescue operation spurred San Diego County Animal Services to transfer the case to the Humane Society on April 24.
Humane Law Enforcement Chief Jace Huggins said, “we’re just really focusing on assessing these animals, getting any sick animals out of here that need to get out of here, and then figuring out how to make sure that all of these animals get the care that they need from this moment forward.”
Even for the Humane Society, the rescue is a “massive undertaking,” especially while its shelters are far over capacity.
“Now, more than ever, we need the community’s support through adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating,” SDHS spokesperson Nina Thompson said in a statement.
Regional animal welfare groups throughout the state are stepping up to assist too, including Pasadena Humane Society, LA County Animal Care & Control and Marin Humane.
The Humane Society did not release information about property’s owners or residents, but it was later identified as Villa Chardonnay in the 4500 block of Boulder Creek Road.
Other criminal animal abuse situations have strained the Humane Society recently, including a hoarder at a La Mesa apartment.
The situation also comes after the city of San Diego slashed funding for SDHS in 2025, including its Humane Law Enforcement branch which previously policed city parks and joint-use fields.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Updated at 6:45 p.m. May 1, 2026
