JULIAN RESCUE
Update 5/10/2026
San Diego Humane Society Day 10 Update
San Diego Humane Society shared the following media update today:
Reunions have begun with previous owners. So far, one dog, one cat and six horses have been returned to their previous owners.
Today, two horses — Koa and Chance — were reunited with their original owners in Julian. Chance’s owner Kristina said it has been nine years since she saw her horse.
Honey, the dog who was reunited with her previous owner on Day 8, also has a remarkable story. Her previous owner told us she had rehomed Honey to another family when Honey was two years old. At that time, Honey was healthy and had all four legs. Honey’s new owners later surrendered her to Villa Chardonnay. When Honey’s microchip was traced back to her original owner, she immediately drove down from Murrieta to bring Honey home. Honey is now a senior dog, missing a front limb and facing numerous medical concerns.
This week, our team will continue contacting the more than 100 people who filled out the form stating they surrendered or bordered animals at Villa Chardonnay. We thank everyone who submitted forms for their patience as we work through owner verification during this open legal investigation.
San Diego Humane Society’s staff and volunteers are caring for the animals who remain on-site. We are staffing the property daily with 15-20 staff and volunteers, and a veterinarian is onsite each day. The team is also working to coordinate farrier support.
At San Diego Humane Society’s campuses, the initial medical exams for all cats have been completed. Many are being treated for various medical conditions, including malnutrition, emaciation, untreated open wounds and contagious infections such as ringworm and giardia.
Since the rescue began on May 1, more than 700 animals have been located on the property, including:
- Cats: 446
- Dogs: 30
- Horses: 175
- Mini ponies: 6
- Donkeys: 4
- Goats: 12
- Sheep: 1
- Pigs: 3
- Bull: 1
- Chickens: 30
- Ducks: 8
- Geese: 8
- Turkeys: 4
- Roosters: 3
- Ravens: 2
- Crow: 1
- Red Eared Sliders: 3
With our shelters already over capacity, this rescue effort remains a massive undertaking. We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support, and the best way to make an impact is by donating or by adopting a pet to create space for other animals in need.
Update 5/7/2026
San Diego Humane Society Day 7 Update
San Diego Humane Society shared the following media update today:
We have the following updates regarding the ongoing rescue operation at the Villa Chardonnay property in Julian.
San Diego Humane Society has completed transporting all the cats from Villa Chardonnay. Since the rescue began on May 1, we have taken in nearly 450 felines. Additionally, SDHS staff is caring for approximately 165 horses, several ponies and several red-eared sliders who are still being housed onsite. To ensure the animals are well cared for, we are staffing the property daily with 15-20 staff members, and a veterinarian is onsite each day. Thirty dogs and dozens of other animals including goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens and more were successfully transported from the property earlier this week.
At SDHS campuses, medical teams are continuing to provide exams for all the animals. Many are being treated for various medical conditions, including malnutrition, emaciation, untreated open wounds and contagious infections such as ringworm and giardia.
Ownership of the animals was transferred to San Diego Humane Society on May 1. This is a critical development that allows us to move forward with Helping to reunite animals with their owners, find new adoptive homes or to transfer these animals to our rescue partners.
We are working to reunite animals with previous owners whenever possible. A form was created for people who believe their previously owned animals were boarded or surrendered at the Villa Chardonnay property. Please note: the form closed at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 8. To date, we have received nearly 100 submissions. Every animal is being documented and photographed to support identification, and we are working diligently to respond to each inquiry.
With our shelters already over capacity, this rescue effort remains a massive undertaking. We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support, and the best way to make an impact is by donating, or by adopting a pet to create space for other animals in need.
Update 5/7/2026
Humane Farming Association Press Release
Our partners at Humane Farming Association shared a press release today about their investigation into Villa Chardonnay and actions to support rescue efforts. Click here to learn more.
Update 5/4/2026
San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) officials held a press conference today to provide critical updates on a large-scale rescue and investigation currently unfolding at the Villa Chardonnay property in Julian.
Although the property sits outside the Society's standard jurisdiction, the case was officially transferred from San Diego County Animal Services to SDHS on April 24, 2026, due to the extreme scope of the rescue and complexities stemming from an ongoing bankruptcy proceeding.
Background:
The conditions at Villa Chardonnay have raised concerns for years, prompting involvement from national and local animal welfare agencies. Organizations including Humane Farming Association (HFA), Humane World for Animals, and San Diego County Animal Servies have made repeated efforts to investigate the property and gain access. Since October of 2025, the HFA has been working with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and trustee for Villa Chardonnay, Inc. to facilitate a veterinary site visit and inspection of the more than 300 animals located on the 40-acre site. In early April, the HFA provided veterinary documentation that helped SDHS advance its inspection. Working in coordination with these partners, SDHS ultimately collaborated with a bankruptcy trustee to secure access to the property and assess conditions firsthand.
Based on veterinary evidence of severe neglect — including emaciation, untreated injuries and a lack of basic care — SDHS served a search warrant at the Villa Chardonnay property on May 1, 2026. This evidence prompted the bankruptcy trustee to request a legal transfer of the animals, and a judge subsequently granted SDHS full ownership of all animals on the property. This transfer was a critical step that allows SDHS to implement comprehensive medical and long-term care plans for the hundreds of animals involved.
“This is one of the largest and most complex rescues our organization has ever undertaken,” said Jace Huggins, Vice President and Chief of Humane Law Enforcement at San Diego Humane Society. “We are currently managing a 40-acre property to stabilize and rescue hundreds of animals who have suffered from significant deficiencies in care and welfare.”
“It truly is appalling,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO at San Diego Humane Society. “There is no question at all about the neglect, at the very least, that occurred out there. I am very happy that these animals have a new chance at life.”
Scope of the Rescue
Since May 1, teams have been working across the property to rescue hundreds of animals. Current estimates of the total number of animals involved include:
- Approximately 165 horses and several ponies
- More than 300 cats (with an estimated 50-100 still on the property)
- 30 dogs
- Dozens of other animals, including goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens and more.
As of Monday, May 4, 2026, the following animals have been successfully transported to local shelters:
334 cats, 30 dogs, 29 chickens, 8 ducks, 4 geese, 4 turkeys, 3 roosters, 2 peahens, 1 peacock, 2 ravens, 1 crow, 12 goats, 3 pigs and 1 sheep.
The care, assessment, documentation and treatment of horses are ongoing on the property. SDHS is now staffing the property daily with 15-20 team members, which is the necessary staffing level that should have been present on the property all along. A veterinarian has been on-site every day.
Animal Condition and Medical Care
Dr. Zarah Hedge, Chief Medical Officer at SDHS, reported that the majority of animals recovered so far are suffering from severe neglect. Documented conditions include widespread malnutrition, emaciation, untreated open wounds, and contagious infections such as ringworm and giardia. Diagnostic testing has identified numerous cases of giardia, with additional testing ongoing to inform treatment plans.
Difficult Decisions
While the goal is a live outcome for the vast majority of animals, some were in such critical condition that humane euthanasia was necessary to prevent further suffering. This has included: four horses, a pony, a bull experiencing severe medical distress, and one kitten who passed away in care.
To ensure the highest ethical standards, strict protocols are in place requiring multiple veterinarians to confer and agree that euthanasia is the only humane course of action. For large animals, experts from East County Large and Small Animal Practice (ECLAP) are involved. In cases where original owners can be identified, they are being contacted and involved in decision-making.
Reunification Efforts
SDHS has received nearly 100 submissions from individuals who believe their owned animals were boarded or surrendered at the Villa Chardonnay property. Reuniting animals with their original owners is a top priority.
Those seeking reunification are encouraged to complete the form at the top of this page. Please note: the form closed at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 8. Every animal is being documented and photographed to support identification. SDHS is asking those filling out the forms for patience as the organization works to respond to each inquiry.
Operational Impact and Community Call to Action
This large-scale rescue comes at a time when SDHS is already overcapacity.
Community members can support by:
- Adopting pets to help create space.
- Donating to fund medical care, food and transport for rescued animals.
Partner Acknowledgment
This effort involves collaboration with multiple animal welfare organizations, including:
- San Diego County Animal Services and their CART Teams
- Humane Farming Association
- Pasadena Humane
- Marin Humane
- LA County Animal Care & Control
- East County Large and Small Animal Practice (ECLAP)
Update 5/1/2026
This morning, San Diego Humane Society began a mass rescue operation at an animal sanctuary in Julian. Our Humane Law Enforcement officers, alongside the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, served a search warrant and are on-site caring for animals right now.
This is one of the largest and most complex rescues our organization has ever undertaken. While we don’t yet have a total count of the animals on-site, we anticipate more than 100 cats, along with dogs, donkeys, alpacas, geese, chickens, roosters, turkeys, goats, peacocks, ravens and a crow. We also expect there to be at least 150 horses needing assistance on site.
Although the property is located in Julian, which is outside of our jurisdiction, the County Animal Services transferred the case to us on April 24, 2026. While prior reports had been received regarding the property, they did not establish probable cause for action. Earlier this month, however, we were able to access the property alongside the Department of Animal Services and identified multiple deficiencies in the care of the animals. This new information provided sufficient probable cause to pursue legal action and ensure these animals receive the care they need.
Given the scope and complexity of the case, San Diego Humane Society is now leading the investigation in close collaboration with County Animal Services. We’re also grateful to be working alongside partners from Pasadena Humane Society, Marin Humane Society, and Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control.
Because this is an active investigation, details are limited at this time. We will continue to share updates as they become available.
This rescue effort is a massive undertaking for San Diego Humane Society, especially as we are already operating well over capacity. Now, more than ever, we need the community’s support to ensure we can provide a safety net for every animal who needs us.
Volunteer Interest
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from community members interested in volunteering. We are reviewing volunteer applications and will follow up with individuals directly as needs arise. At this time, we expect our needs to be fully met and our interest list has been closed.