TEMECULA – Villa Chardonnay equine rescue and sanctuary has received a coveted ASPCA grant to assist with funding of food for the horses of Villa Chardonnay. Villa Chardonnay applied for the grant in September of 2012 and received notification in December of 2012 that the grant was approved.

As part of the approval process, Jacque Schultz and Stacy Segal of the ASPCA Equine Fund met with co-founders Monika Kerber and Louise Gardner to tour and inspect the Villa Chardonnay facility. Safety conditions and overall health and care of the horses met their high standards.

"We are very proud to receive the grant and grateful for the funding to help purchase alfalfa for the horses. The price of alfalfa is still double what it was about two years ago. At $18-$20 a bale it can be difficult to keep up," said Monika Kerber, President and CEO at Villa Chardonnay.

Alfalfa bales are $17-$19 each, Villa Chardonnay goes through 15 bales each day. The weekly feed bill is $2000 to feed the horses of Villa Chardonnay animal sanctuary in Temecula. The grant will provide short term help for the feed expenses.

The number of horses requiring rescue in Southern California Advertisement

[ Pala Mesa Resort ] continues to grow. Over 120,000 horses are abandoned in the United States each year.

"Equine rescue is a difficult and expensive endeavor. Public support is needed for all equine rescues, whether it’s Villa Chardonnay or another local rescue in your area, please support them today. Many rescues are full and have started turning away horses. The epidemic of abandonment continues in Southern California," said Gardner.

Each equine has a permanent home at Villa Chardonnay without the worry of continuously moving from one bad situation to another.

Villa Chardonnay celebrates 10 years of rescuing horses this year. It started with a palomino named Chardonnay, hence the name of the sanctuary.

"We are asking all animal lovers to extend a hand, send a tax deductible donation to help care for all the animals at Villa where we home horses, goats, donkeys, dogs, cats and a turkey," said Kerber.

Visitors are welcome to come and visit Chardonnay, Nitro Active (the great grandson of Secretariat), and all the horses. Call (951) 526-6600 for an appointment. If you would like to sponsor a horse, visit www.villachardonnay.org. Please send a tax deductible donation directly to Villa Chardonnay, 42200 Calle Barbona, Temecula, CA 92592.