Originally written October 25, 2024
Alan Watts once asked, “What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life?” It’s a question that challenges us to align our passions with our actions, to follow our calling without compromise, and then, once we find our path, to pursue it relentlessly with all the resources and talent we can muster.
When my mother passed away, I chose to do just that. I dedicated myself wholly to caring for animals in desperate need of help. At one point, I found myself living in a tipi, weathering sub-zero winters, and making just $50 a week. I learned then how to stretch every dollar—how to make the impossible possible not just for myself, but for the sanctuary where I was volunteering. I discovered the power of words, the impact of truth, and the critical need for absolute transparency in running a non-profit organization.
When I arrived at Kindness Ranch, it felt like finding the place I had been searching for all along. The sanctuary’s mission, to provide a safe haven for animals once used in laboratory research while fostering compassion for all animals, resonated deeply with me. Dr. David Groobman’s vision for Kindness Ranch was everything I hoped to find in a cause worthy of my life’s work. And over the years, it has become so much more.
We’ve seen extraordinary growth, not just because of my efforts, but because of the unwavering dedication of those who joined us along the way. It has been essential for us to build a foundation that would support the expansion of our impact before sharing our vision more publicly. That way, when we spoke about making the world a better place, we could do so with the integrity of proven results.
Our mission is straightforward but profound: “To provide a sanctuary and place of rehabilitation for animals who have been used in laboratory research while fostering compassion for all animals.” In the past five years, we have fulfilled this mission by successfully caring for over 1,000 animals from research facilities across the nation. Each of these animals—be it a dog, cat, pig, horse, or rabbit, has either found a loving forever home or remain at Kindness Ranch to live out their days in peace.
We have taken this message of compassion to Washington, D.C., several times, meeting with leaders from both sides of the aisle and sharing our success stories. On our most recent visit, we were even invited to bring Uno, a beagle and shining example of what’s possible when we give these animals a second chance, as an ambassador.
One of our most significant, and public achievements this year was partnering with UC Davis to close part of their breeding program for cats used in research. We welcomed 15 cats to Kindness Ranch for rehabilitative care and socialization. Several have already found new homes, proving that even animals born into a life of research deserve, and can thrive in, a life of love and comfort.
But our journey is far from over. The time for debating our “proof of concept” is behind us. We’ve shown, time and again, that our model works, that it is both replicable and sustainable. Now, we need to take the next step: to advocate for broader change, to educate others, and to share our methods so that more animals can be given the compassion they deserve.
This December (2024), we are headed back to Washington, D.C., once again. We’re bringing Uno with us, along with a critical call to action: "Never again should an animal be needlessly euthanized after research, and every animal that can be released must be released to sanctuaries like ours or to organizations using a similar model." We have meetings scheduled with policymakers from both parties, hoping to capitalize on the renewed energy of a new administration. We want to move beyond raising awareness, we want to inspire action and implement concrete changes in research practices nationwide.
But this journey comes at a cost. The expenses associated with trips like these, along with the operational needs of running a sanctuary in the remote, harsh winters of Wyoming, are formidable. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
We are changing lives, changing minds, and shifting the dialogue around animal welfare through compassion and respect. But we cannot do this alone. Your contributions fuel our work, helping us create a world where all animals are treated with kindness and respect. When you support Kindness Ranch, you are not just supporting an organization, you are becoming part of a movement that is redefining what’s possible for animals once forgotten by society.
Choose kindness. Choose compassion. Stand with us as we continue to make lasting, positive changes—not just for the animals at our sanctuary, but for everyone they meet on their journey to finding a forever home. Together, we can build a more compassionate world, one animal at a time.
John Ramer
Executive Director and proud dog dad of Uno