Large Animal Shelter Welcomes Visitors, Volunteers

As the cost of living continues to rise, caring for large animals has become more challenging as well. Dawn Chapton, co-owner of CP Mules and Equine Rescue in Chino Valley, said the non-profit organization recently received $500 in donations, but it continues to need help with both money and volunteers.

CP Mules and Equine Rescue has 26 horses, 12 pigs, one cow, chickens, ducks and two turkeys – Tom and Brady. Chapton says many of their horses are purchased to save them from slaughter, but they also have horses that were neglected or were given up. “If people can’t afford to feed them or take care of them, we can take them in,” she said.

CP Mules and Equine Rescue offers visitors the opportunity to ride horses and will even give them lessons, but Chapton asks that they volunteer in exchange, with tasks like grooming the horses or cleaning the stalls. “We just want people to love on the horses. We encourage them to bring apples and carrots,” she said.

Visitors to CP Mules are greeted by friendly pigs, chickens and turkeys and are encouraged to pet the pigs and turkeys. Chapton is constantly hugging the turkeys, exclaiming that no one was getting them for Thanksgiving dinner.

Aside from being open to the public, CP Mules and Equine Rescue has special events. The organization had a Halloween event that offered photos with the horses as well as tricks and treats. Christmas events are being planned as well.

For Chapton, caring for animals is a lifelong passion. She sees it as her duty to save horses. “Some of the horses come in with scars and others have obviously been neglected. The animals – that is what our love is. When we see kids and adults with smiles on their faces, it makes it worthwhile. Then we see smiles on the animals, too.”

One horse, Pearl, was obtained from a police seizure. The mini horse is a bit skittish before warming up to visitors. Chapton says she was brought there to die and she credits co-owner Cale Porter, also her boy- friend, with staying with the horse all night during her first night at CP Mules and Equine Rescue to keep her alive.

The rescue also strives to find homes for horses, mules and other animals.

Wayne Bruner, one of the volunteers, said he feels good about saving animals’ lives. “Some people throw them away. They treat them like they are not even animals.”

Chapton grew up with horses in Southern California. She credits her late father, Dr. Donald Chapton, for teaching her about horses. She studied equine science at Cal Poly in Pomona, California, and earned a certification in horse breeding, including artificial insemination. At one time, she owned a horse transport business in Temecula, California, where she moved horses during fires and other emergencies.

Chapton and Porter opened CP Mules and Equine Rescue about three and a half years ago. The animal paradise sits on three acres. “We really need more land so that the horses can graze in a pasture and eat more grass,” she said. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

For more information or to make a donation, call CP Mules and Equine Rescue at 951-293-6226.