Castleton Ranch - CA - Legit?

[Ambitious_Kate]

I don’t think Happynow know enough about her organization to be a spokes person for it. She can’t seem to answer the basic questions about it.

Also, she doesn’t seem to realize some really basic facts about promoting her cause:

1. don’t be rude, don’t be evasive, don’t use poor english, and don’t sneer at your potential donors when they ask questions, and when addressing your potential donators’ concerns;

2)COTH is probably her biggest target audience. I doubt she knows how many thousands of horse people who have donation budgets are reading her sputter! For example, this thread has been read by 5400 people, as of this posting. Not a smart move on her part. Besides the ones who have read it, consider those the 5400 will discuss this with.

3. Don’t affiliate yourself with ASPCA on a board full of educated horse people

[Ambitious_Kate]

4. when you google Castleton Ranch horse rescue, this thread comes up second. Guidestar’s data comes up third. Wouldn’t you think she would present herself as kind, open, forthcoming? Educated?

[Ambitious_Kate]

Woah, wait a minute! WIth all the money they make, why are they sending out flyers saying they don’t have the money to care for the horses they have!Oh, now I get the point of the thread. Gosh.

[Dispatcher]

I think she has a ghost writer…

[Appsolute]

Wait…F’ing kidding me?!?

REALLY?!?!?!? THIS is what was being told to people?

http://blog.paradysz.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/2011/01/CastletonRanchHorseRescue_Full.jpg

Six hand written pages that starts with:

[I]Dear Horse Lovers,

I don’t know how to say this except to blurt out – Our feedbags are nearly empty, but we went head and rescued 80 horses!

We either rescued them, or they would have been slaughtered.

What would you have done?

I really want to know what you think and what you would have done. You can be blunt with me as I have been with you.

If you think I should have pulled back and said no then say so.
But if you think that I did the right thing, I will appreciate hearing that too.

Because time is so short and because the situation is so critical, I’ve enclosed a United States Postal Service Priority Return Envelope to Give me Your Advice – YES or NO.

But please do it right away, because the….[/I]

Disgusting.

Claiming you do not have enough $$ to feed the horses, yet hauling in well over a Million per year in donations, and coming out over a hundred thousand ahead - despite spending HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS on marketing and salaries!

Pre paid envelopes? So THATS where the $82,000 went!

[Laurierace]

All that is missing is Celetia Kramer’s multicolored fonts. Not to be confused with Zu Zu!

[Alagirl]

Pseudo handwriting.

[2horseygirls]

Jacque Schulz from the ASPCA Equine Fund was kind enough to email me back - this was her response.

Regarding Castleton Ranch Equine Rescue, two of us went on a site visit to one of their two properties when we had other business in Southern California around March of 2011. The staff gave us a tour and answered our questions. At that time the horses appeared well cared for and were kept on a lovely property.

Hope that helps.

[Appsolute]

I STILL would like some answers:

HOW MANY horses are taken in each year?

Are they ADOPTED out? Or do they just stay forever?

Was it TRUE that the “Feed bags are almost empty” and that “80 horses” were rescued at once? When did that happen? Where did the horses come from? An Auction? A dealer yard?

Or was the “80 horses” and “feed bags almost empty” story a LIE?

[Hermein]

You know, there’s a real rescue out there–and it’s really, really way outside of Lancaster. It’s called LifeSavers, and they specialize in mustangs. They’re the real deal. www.wildhorserescue.org. I wonder if the Castleton Ranch group are trying to pass themselves off as LifeSavers?

If you’re going to send money to any rescue, these people, paid and volunteers, work very hard and constantly to keep things going.

I’ve spent a little time out there, and am still just amazed at what they’ve been able to do.

PS: The Lifesaver group did rescue 172 mustangs that the BLM rounded up and were “disposing” of them via a feedlot that sells horses to slaughter buyers. If you go to the website, there’s a short video about this. Jill Starr is the woman who started this rescue–and is still at it.

PPS: If the Castleton Ranch people really do take in that much money with their utter bullshit, then I’m really furious and disgusted. Just think what an honest horse resuce could do with that much money.

[toady123]

My best guess reading all this?

1. They do have horses and properties

2. The mailer stories are made up

Is it legal for a solicitation letter to contain false information (if that can be proven)? I mean just the fact that the same story has been used for several years makes me seriously question the legitimacy. Is this permitted?

[Whoanellie]

Just an FYI. Both Lifesavers & Castleton use the same direct mail company (as well as several other organizations). From what I have heard (checked with other rescues in the area) Castleton has been active for awhile and are low key.

[Hermein]

That’s interesting that they do use the same outfit. (I’ve never received anything from Life Savers.) BUT, lately Ive been getting some tear jerker mailers from the Sierra Club–which surprises me because I tend to think of SC as a force for environmental good, although I know they’re basically lobbyists.

There’s a website, whose name has escaped me right now, that gives a report on how much money 501c groups take in, and how they spend it. After I have enough coffee, I’ll look it up.

[st_francis]

[QUOTE=happynow;8126051]
You are all very funny about a very serious matter. Why don’t you just come and visit one of our ranches and perhaps then you may just zip it. Better still why not call our veterinarians for both ranches. Lancaster is Dr Wayne Marteney office no 661 947 6068 Valley Center ranch Dr Matt Mathews office no 760 749 8147. Maybe after you speak with them we can have some peace to get on with

Why on earth would you want anyone let alone randos on the Internet to bother your veterinarians?

Sorry Happynow, you don’t look too legit from where I’m standing.

[Hermein]

Maybe she’s self-appointed?

[Potatoe_Beetles]

Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue is absolutely legit and a good place for horses to escape the horrors of the slaughter industry. I’ve been a donor for years to help them save Equines from unspeakable horror. Animals who go to slaughter are often butchered alive, beginning with: bludgeoning or multiple bolts to the head, electrocution, hanging upside down and throat slitting. They can’t bleed-out because the line drags them to the next station too quickly. Then, they will suffer steaming, skinning, leg clippers, belly ripping and disembouling; all while feeling everything. Babies are aborted and sent to hell on Earth too. Heads are not removed in time to spare animals this horror.
So please, don’t criticize any rescue groups for mass mailings. This is a legit way to find more people who care. You should beware of charities that are fronts for kill buyers. Use charity navigators for this.

[Laurierace]

@Potatoe Beetles

Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue is absolutely legit and a good place for horses to escape the horrors of the slaughter industry. I’ve been a donor for years to help them save Equines from unspeakable horror. Animals who go to slaughter are often butchered alive, beginning with: bludgeoning or multiple bolts to the head, electrocution, hanging upside down and throat slitting. They can’t bleed-out because the line drags them to the next station too quickly. Then, they will suffer steaming, skinning, leg clippers, belly ripping and disembouling; all while feeling everything. Babies are aborted and sent to hell on Earth too. Heads are not removed in time to spare animals this horror.
So please, don’t criticize any rescue groups for mass mailings. This is a legit way to find more people who care. You should beware of charities that are fronts for kill buyers. Use charity navigators for this.

Happy Thanksgiving gift from the greenie!

[skydy]

Oh for god’s sake.

After reading that mess I’m feel as if I am being steamed, skinned, leg clipped:confused:, belly ripped, “disembouled” and sent to hell on earth.

I’m over it now though. I had a nice Thanksgiving.

[skydy]

IMHO I can’t believe that anyone who writes in that manner is legitimate . Legitimate business people know that becoming hysterical and incoherent online is not a good fundraising tactic.

[Joanne]

You spelled “potatoe” wrong. :lol: