By Pamela Dozois
Contributing Writer
Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary is holding “Rock for Horses” on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the sanctuary at 1326 Dove Meadow Road in Solvang to raise money for its food and medical fund for rescued horses who have been homeless, neglected or abused.
The horses are also ambassadors for the sanctuary’s Horse Angels Program, which focuses on youth, especially those in foster care or the welfare system.
“I have committed my life to rescuing broken and homeless animals and to children who have had similar experiences in their young lives,” said C.C. Beaudette-Wellman, president and founder of Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary.
“Our Horse Angels Program pairs at-risk youth in the foster care system and children from abusive or neglectful situations with horses who have had similar life experiences. Children learn horsemanship skills on the ground and safety around animals of all kinds. They develop self-esteem because they are helping heal a broken heart. The program is free and provides a safe place where unconditional love is taught,” she added.
Beaudette-Wellman wears many hats in an effort to care for all the rescued animals. With just two hours daily from one helper, whom she calls her “angel Jose,” the rest of the daily care, grooming, feeding and medicating rests on her, along with finding the funding she needs.
“It costs $3,500 a month to support 14 horses plus the dogs, cats, and birds we care for in the sanctuary. These rescue horses have special needs, like medicine, diet, shoes, etc. Hay is $30 a bale and lasts five days for one horse. And that doesn’t include vet bills, so this is why we are holding this ‘Rock for Horses’ fundraiser,” said Beaudette-Wellman said.
Dinner will be provided by New Frontiers, with the band LiveWire performing rock and roll dance music. Dress is dressy casual. Tickets are $75 per person.
Silent auction items include an autographed guitar from the Eagles; a golf trip to Scotland; and a Tuscany culinary trip that combines a five-night stay at the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa with a two-night stay at Hotel Ponte Sisto in Rome for a weeklong vacation.
There will also be a four-night stay at Los Cabos Golf Resort, a long weekend in New York with a choice of a Broadway show, a three-night stay for two at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort and Spa, and seven nights in Fiji for four people in an oceanfront property.
There are also tickets to Elton John’s Farewell Tour, an ultimate Pro Sports Fan getaway, and much more.
“If you can’t make the fundraiser but would like to help out, I have always said if everybody on my mailing list gave me just $2 I could take care of all my animals for four months,” she said.
Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary is a registered nonprofit organization so donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit happyendingsanimalrescuesanctuary.org. For sponsorship, donations for the event, tickets, or volunteering, call 805-448-7138.
