Back in 2012, when I set out to save one horse from slaughter, I had no idea that Rancho Relaxo was going to grow like ivy in the upcoming 7 years. I had no clue that rescuing one horse from a terrorizing death at the hands of a butcher was going to turn into me changing the way I viewed the world and the sentient beings we share it with for the better.

Fast forward to now. We have two properties, a home base location and an offsite location, which amount to a total of over 110 acres. When Rancho Relaxo began, it was being run out of my personal home that was situated on 4 acres right down the street from where we are today. I used to dumpster dive every weekend in order to find materials to build chicken coops, fix our ancient barns, add fencing and more. You would be surprised at some of the things that people decide to toss in the garbage. I used to work as a wedding photographer, a Child Protective Services government representative AND run Rancho Relaxo all by myself. I did not have a single volunteer. Eventually, I allowed people in to help. For such a long time, I remained protective and proud. I told myself that no one could provide for the animals as well as I could. Currently, we have 8 volunteers and 6 employees who are all just as passionate as I am about the well-being of each and every animal under our care. I still work a fulltime job outside of Rancho Relaxo and I do NOT take a salary yet because I have a handful of goals in place for this organization. The biggest goal is the reason I set up this GoFundMe campaign. 

On January 29, 2019, we made history. For the first time within the farm-based sanctuary world, two organizations came together for the greater good to purchase an old dairy farm and turn it into a paradise for rescued animals. Twist of Fate Farm and Sanctuary and Rancho Relaxo worked for months in order to make this deal become a reality. The property was immediately split up after closing. Twist of Fate received close to 100 acres of land, a caretaker house and a handful of barns that once caused the pain and suffering of numerous dairy cows. Rancho Relaxo received 70 acres of land. This is where all of you come in like you have so many times in the past. On this open land, we need to build a new pig barn and a new horse barn - as well as put up approximately 30 acres of fencing. Over the last year, we have rescued numerous horses from slaughter and quite a few farm pigs from neglect cases and testing facilities. They deserve the best.

You all have come together to turn a broken down old chicken farm into a beautiful offsite facility. You all have come together to allow us to move from our original property to our current home base location when we were busting at the seams. You all have come together in every single emergency that we have gone through. You all have come together to pay off medical bills for some of our most severe cases. You all have been there for Rancho Relaxo and you are the reason we are where we are today. YOU.

I sometimes get nervous that the support you all provide is suddenly going to stop but I always remind myself that you all care just as much as I do. Just because you aren't here doesn't mean you aren't in it for the long haul. I read your messages that mention how our animals here at Rancho Relaxo have changed your lives. I read your emails that state how our rescued animals have gotten you through hard times. Your stories and your reasons behind following our journey are heartfelt and so real. We couldn't have asked for better supporters than all of you. 

Today, I am once again asking for your help. This will officially be the largest project we have ever taken on. The build alone will cost over $200,000! I do have faith that we can pull it off in the next 60 days.

Thank you all for your continued love and support!

Sincerely,

Caitlin Cimini

Founder of Rancho Relaxo

RanchoRelaxoNJ.org

@boochaces on Instagram

Proceeds benefit RanchoRelaxoNJ.org