Donkeys, alpacas, geese, chickens, roosters, turkeys, goats, ravens and a crow are among dozens of farm animals the San Diego Humane Society stepped in to care for Friday.

Regional animal welfare partners joined 90 Humane Society staffers in what was described as a “mass rescue” that included 225 cats, 30 dogs and around 165 horses and ponies along with “dozens of other animals” at animal sanctuary Villa Chardonnay in Julian. 

Livestock, including goats, receive medical exams to assess whether they need immediate rescue. (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society)

Since the property is large and animals are moving around, SDHS said it would be days before a count is finalized.

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.

Livestock, including goats, receive medical exams to assess whether they need immediate rescue. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Humane Society)

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.”

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. 

A Julian animal sanctuary had well over 100 cats now being cared for by animal welfare groups. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Humane Society)

According to SDHS, Animal Services had received reports about Villa Chardonnay several times and started investigating in early April. 

However, welfare groups only recently gained the legal authority to enter the site. Once there, teams found “significant animal welfare concerns,” according to SDHS spokesperson Nina Thompson. 

In response, a judge transferred ownership of the animals to the Humane Society on Friday. “This is a critical development that allows us to move forward with care plans for these animals,” Thompson said.

Even for the Humane Society, the rescue is a “massive undertaking,” especially while its shelters are far over capacity. 

Over 100 cats were found at a Julian animal sanctuary by San Diego Humane Society and the San Diego County Sherrif’s Department. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Humane Society)

“Now, more than ever, we need the community’s support through adopting, fostering, volunteering or donating,” 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. 

“Our teams will remain at the property to ensure all animals are evaluated and cared for,” Thompson said. 

Villa Chardonnay is located in the 4500 block of Boulder Creek Road.

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and Humane Law Enforcement executed a search warrant at a Julian animal sanctuary on Friday. (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society)

Since news of the rescue broke, some people have contacted the Humane Society who said they previously surrendered or boarded animals at Villa Chardonnay and are seeking to get them back. SDHS added a form on its website for people who believe their animals may be at Villa Chardonnay so they can potentially be reunited. The form can be found at sdhumane.org/julianrescue. 

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. 

Updated at 5:04 p.m., May 2, 2026