Support Ojai Horse & Herd Network Hoofed Animal Fire Relief

We are raising funds to support the direct aid that me and a team of passionate animal folks here in Ojai have dedicated ourselves to supporting the aid to the evacuation and care of horses and other hoofed animals (sheep and goats!) impacted by the fires. Initially jumping on emergency evacuations, housing farm animals and horses, to juggling communications on the ground with other first responders with trucks and trailers to transport, we have been in the thick of it doing what we can to help, representing our community in Ojai who suffered from the Thomas Fire in 2017.

Recognizing the resources of land, equine and livestock infrastructure, skilled and passionate animal people, and those who just want to support the cause in our town of Ojai, a band of us have come together to quickly develop the Ojai Horse and Herd Network, a simple and quick way for folks to efficiently share what they can offer immediately and in recovery as many animals will be displaced from their homes. This is an endurance ride, not a barrel race! We will need resources to support the influx of animals that will need care. This includes feed, supplies, reimbursement for fuel costs for haulers, and perhaps even support for vet expenses if needed.

Funds raised go DIRECTLY to our aid efforts and all expenses and receipts will be made transparent.

Thank you for your care and consideration in this tremendously catastrophic time. I'm honored to be able to support in the ways that I can and it's incredible how community can come together to create an impactful effort for

About the gal who jumped to action

My name is Cole Bush and I'm the owner of Shepherdess Land and Livestock Co and director of the Grazing School of the West, based out of the Ojai Valley a little over an hour north of Los Angeles. The Ojai Valley suffered from the Thomas Fire in 2017 and our community experienced the devastation and intensity of what a fire of the magnitudes that Los Angeles is experiencing. We are a community that is strongly connected through our love of the land and the animals, domestic and wild, that make our valley what it is.

My life's work is dedicated to stewarding the land with hoofed animals, carefully managing grazing of sheep and goats as an ecological approach to vegetation management for fire hazard mitigation and improving the resilience of the diverse ecologies of Southern California. Being an owner of small ruminants and equines myself, and having experienced the pressures and devastation of natural disaster, my heart goes out to those who care for animals themselves who have been impacted by the recent fires.

When the fires kicked in last week, I immediately put the call out that I would be available for supporting evacuations of horses and livestock immediately by helping to transport animals out of harm's way. My post went viral and hundreds of responses poured in. The need for help was critical and many jumped into action. I have been able to contribute in unique ways to the effort to get animals out of harm's way and to receive them, already prepared to manage hundreds of sheep and goats, and a gaggle of equines.

Shepherding is an art and skill that takes time to refine and I am honored to be able to share what I can and how I can, not only shepherding displaced animals but contributing to the shepherding of people, logistics, and coordination necessary to offer the support so greatly needed at this time. Thank you for your direct help, kindness, and care.

Learn a bit more about our work as shepherds in Southern California working to tend to the land with animals, working to support growing fire safe and fire ready communities here.