Animal Sanctuary In Temecula In Need Of Help After Extensions To Lease Expires

TEMECULA (CBSLA.com) — The owners of a Temecula animal rescue say hundreds of animals are in danger unless they get some help and quickly.

Moments after a CBS2 news crew arrived to report on what founders call their "forced evacuation," two horses in their care lost it and repeatedly charged at the camera. The news crew took cover by a tree.

But as CBS2's Laurie Perez reports, it was almost 10 minutes before handlers corralled them.

By then, one volunteer was hurt.

"When we are put in the position for no reason whatsoever, absolutely no reason to move in five days, injuries happen," said Louise Gardner of the Villa Chardonnay.

As Perez reports, the sanctuary had a seven-year lease, which is now up. She says the sanctuary tried to buy the property, but it didn't work out.

They are in escrow for a 40-acre property in San Diego County, according to Perez, who says they can't move there until November.

She says that after receiving one extension already, their landlord won't let them stay any longer. They heard last week that they and every animal will need to be out by Tuesday.

"We have to move 200 animals and their safety is our biggest concern," said Gardner. "We have animals here that have medical conditions. They have cancer. We have blind horses."

Late Sunday morning, a Temecula landowner offered to lease them 30-acres for the horses hence the frantic move.

But, they say, they still need a short-term home for the goats, dogs and cats, as well as funds and volunteers.

"We have offered the property owner up to three times our normal rent just for an extra 15 or 20 days so we can do this safely," Gardner said.

After the story aired, the landowner contacted CBS2. She says she gave the group a notice to vacate the property early this year and has given them three 60-day extensions.