By WILL NILLES
Reporter at Ward Media
CASHMERE – A loving home for abandoned and abused animals in the Cashmere region provides a natural habitat for nine different species of animals while educating locals on the most ethical methods of raising them. Run by nature lovers Anna and Eric Gullickson, Ridge 2 River Animal Haven aims to counteract the unethical practices of farming by raising awareness of the direct impact of overconsumption on animals.
Anna Gullickson is the president of Ridge 2 River and oversees the care of each animal, trains volunteers, and organizes educational programs. Gullickson is so knowledgeable about each animal and their individual needs that she guides all visitors through the sanctuary, introducing each resident in the hopes of teaching people something new.
Gullickson likes to start with his goats and sheep, who, like all of his animal residents, exude a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The two goats, Sage and Woody, are twin brothers who were rejected by the dairy where they were born. Now they are chewing their cud with a kind of Zen nonchalance.
“Sage is super friendly and wants to headbutt and play,” Gullickson said with a smile. “And Woody is also a big lover and just wants to cuddle.”
Although they continue to live happy and comfortable lives, their childhood in the dairy industry continues to leave its mark on them. As is common practice on dairy farms, both Sage and Woody had their horns singed off their skulls at a very young age. This leaves their skulls relatively fragile and very sensitive and prone to injury.
Regardless, Sage and Woody enjoy a healthy life in Ridge 2 River alongside their neighbor, Basil, a black-bellied sheep who was found tied to a tree by locals in the wild.
After surviving three days without food and water, Basil now shows a brave and independent personality and takes time to trust new faces.
“Basil is really cheeky,” said Gullickson, “but at the same time she is also super affectionate.”
Across the lawn from the goats is a small pen where 14 bunnies seek shelter from the summer sun. Because of their cute appearance and availability in pet stores, bunnies are often one of the most misunderstood animals, according to Gullickson. They are frequently purchased as gifts for young children, and many people don’t understand that bunnies are often territorial, need contact with other bunnies, and don’t like being picked up.
Rabbits are also burrowing animals and can easily become anxious or depressed if they cannot dig new shelters and paths, so there are many secret passages leading in and out of the rabbit hutch.
However, under the right conditions, even territorial rabbits show their fluffy personalities.
“Over time, the rabbits love getting their medicine as a reward every morning,” Gullickson said. “The ones that get medicine run to me and are so excited to eat their piece of banana with the medicine in it.”
Nearby, a covered area filled with small trees provides a small green oasis for a motley flock of chickens, peacocks and ducks. Each feathered resident has their own story and personality, like Roo, the gentleman rooster who protects his chicken neighbors and always makes sure they eat first. Ridge 2 River rescued Roo after a local announced he had an hour to go before he needed to be placed in a freezer.
“He guards the hens when they lay their eggs…” Gullickson described Roo’s devotion. “When it’s time to sleep, he leads them inside. He takes his duty very seriously.”
Further up the slope, an unusual trio is napping among the dry shrubs and sagebrush. The two domestic pigs, Squidward and Beni, share their enclosure with their feline friend Pearl. Squidward has deformed hind legs and has long suffered from hunger. He is very small for his age. Gullickson believes he may have been raised as a “miniature pig,” an artificial breed of miniature pig created by depriving a piglet of nutrients and restricting its growth through physical restrictions.
Now Squidward has nothing to complain about. He lazes around in his self-made mud puddle and eats together with his two close friends.
“It’s been incredible to see Squidward go from being grumpy and unhappy to the pig he is today,” Gullickson said as she stroked his upturned belly with a back scratcher.
As Gullickson concluded her tour with Cashmere Record, she talked about what inspires her passion for caring for and learning about so many different creatures.
“Overall, the best part of fostering for me is watching their transition and seeing what they are like when they come in,” she said. “And then after a while, when they know this is their home and they’re respected and loved and all their needs are met, you see their full personality. Some take a long time, some take less time, but I’ve been able to gain everyone’s trust and it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Ridge 2 River continues to work to combat the negative effects of animal exploitation by large-scale industry and is committed to further educating local youth and adults. The Ridge 2 River team believes that only by spreading awareness and a deeper understanding of animals and their needs can real impact be made.
In this educational direction, Gullickson and her team hope to raise their voices and convey to the next generation of Washingtonians in a variety of ways the importance of respect and care for their fellow creatures.
“We’re really excited about the LEAP program and being able to do it this year. We hope to be able to do presentations in more classrooms and organize more field trips here,” said Gullickson, listing some of the many ways they hope to educate locals. “We would love to see more interest in field trips and more visitors to the preserve who can meet the residents.”
As the sun sets over the dusty hills of Cashmere, the many unique residents of Ridge 2 River rest in the knowledge that they have a comfortable and healthy home. While they enjoy their well-earned sanctuary, the mission to help the millions of other animals neglected and mistreated by the agricultural industry continues.
For more information about Ridge 2 River Animal Haven and its many residents, visit the official website at ridge2river.org.
Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or [email protected]
