What Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings Inc. does

Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal sanctuary founded in 2003 by Monika Kerber and located on a 42-acre property in Julian, California. The organization historically provided permanent lifetime care for senior, disabled, and unadoptable animals, including horses, donkeys, cats, dogs, goats, and turkeys, operating as an 'assisted living, nursing home, and hospice' rather than a traditional adoption-based rescue. At its peak, the sanctuary housed over 600 animals, including more than 250 horses of diverse breeds (BLM Mustangs, Thoroughbreds, Belgian Drafts, Quarter Horses, Arabians, Appaloosas, Peruvians), with resident horses averaging 28 years of age.

The business model relies on tax-deductible donations and recurring monthly sponsorships ($25-$300+ per month across tiered programs: Little Angel, Sweet Angel, Angel, Heavenly Angel, Golden Angel, Miracle Angel), one-time surrender donations ($3,500 for horses, $1,000 for cats), planned giving through estate planning instruments, and in-kind contributions. Distribution channels include a direct-to-consumer website donation portal (Givebutter), physical sanctuary visits by appointment, and a volunteer program. The organization developed strategic partnerships with veteran service organizations including Veterans Treatment Court, Travis Manion Foundation, The Mission Continues, Team RWB, Wounded Warrior Project, and Team Rubicon.

In May 2026, operations effectively ceased when San Diego Humane Society seized 728 animals over alleged severe neglect, with 30 horses euthanized. More than $585,000 was raised for emergency response, and the rescue operation concluded in July 2026 with the final 54 horses relocated to Willow Glen Equestrian Centre. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy, and a court-appointed trustee is seeking to sell the property (valued $2.5-3.6 million) to pay creditors. The organization held Animal Sanctuary Association accreditation from June 2019.

Name

Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings Inc.

Legal name

Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc.

Website

https://villachardonnay.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal sanctuary in Julian, California, founded in 2003 to provide permanent lifetime care for senior, disabled, and unadoptable horses and other animals through donations and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Sanctuary and Rescue Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

Keywords

• Animal sanctuary services
• Equine rescue care
• Senior animal welfare
• Animal sponsorship programs
• Nonprofit sanctuary operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Julian

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Primary revenue from tax-deductible donations and monthly animal sponsorships ranging from $25 to $300+ per month. Donors can sponsor specific animals (horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, goats, turkey) at various levels (Little Angel, Sweet Angel, Angel, Heavenly Angel, Golden Angel, Miracle Angel). Sponsors receive certificates, visit privileges, and satisfaction of supporting animal welfare.
2. Planned Giving: Accepts planned gifts including stocks and bonds, real estate, retirement assets (IRA, 401k), and life insurance. Designed for donors to include Villa Chardonnay in estate planning and living trusts.
3. Surrender Fees: One-time surrender donations requested: $3,500 for horse surrender, $1,000 for cat surrender. Helps offset long-term care costs for animals accepted into the sanctuary.
4. In-Kind Donations: Accepts physical donations including fly spray, carrots, glucosamine supplements, alfalfa bales, and other supplies needed for animal care. Monetary donations preferred but in-kind contributions welcomed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Villa Chardonnay operates a 42-acre animal sanctuary in Julian, California providing permanent lifetime care for senior, disabled, and unadoptable horses, donkeys, goats, dogs, cats, and other rescued animals. The organization funds this care primarily through monthly animal sponsorships, one-time donations, planned giving/estate gifts, and animal surrender fees, while also hosting veteran reintegration programs in partnership with several veterans service organizations.

Product overview

Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc. is an animal sanctuary (not a technology company) offering a single unified service: permanent lifetime care for abandoned, neglected, abused, and senior animals. The organization operates as a nonprofit and provides services including an Animal Sponsorship Program (with tiered monthly giving levels from $25-$300+), Planned Giving (estate planning donations), Horse Surrender Services ($3,500 requested donation), a Volunteer Program, and Veterans Programs Partnerships. The sanctuary serves as a permanent home for over 600 animals including horses, donkeys, goats, dogs, cats, ducks, turtles, lambs, and turkeys—not an adoption-based rescue but a lifelong care facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Sponsorship Program Monthly sponsorship program allowing individual donors to financially support a specific animal (horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, goats, turkey) at tiered levels (Little Angel, Sweet Angel, Angel, Heavenly Angel, Golden Angel, Miracle Angel), covering food, medication, hoof care, veterinary care, wormers, and vaccinations.
• Planned Giving Program Legacy giving program enabling donors to contribute through estate planning instruments including gifts of stocks and bonds, real estate, retirement assets (IRA, 401k), and life insurance to support senior animals long term.
• Horse Surrender Service Accepts permanent surrenders of horses (and cats) requiring lifelong care due to age, disability, or terminal conditions, with requested one-time tax-deductible donations of $3,500 for horses and $1,000 for cats to offset long-term care costs until the animal's natural death.
• Veterans Programs Partnership Collaborative programs partnering with veterans service organizations to support veteran reintegration, community building, and character development through volunteer and service opportunities at the sanctuary.
• Volunteer Program Allows individuals to volunteer on-site at the sanctuary after submitting a release of liability form; visitors also encouraged to bring in-kind donations of supplies such as fly spray, carrots, glucosamine supplements, or alfalfa bales.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 animals rescued since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Veterans Treatment CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing essential support to veterans in need through the Veterans Treatment Court program. Helps veterans reintegrate into civilian life with dignity and purpose through structured environment with treatment and guidance.
• Travis Manion FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership honoring fallen heroes by empowering veterans and families of the fallen to develop character in future generations. Joint initiatives focus on community-building and character development.
• The Mission ContinuescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partnership empowering veterans to continue serving in their communities through mobilizing veterans to tackle tough challenges including community improvement projects and disaster relief efforts.
• Team RWBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enriching lives of America's veterans by connecting them to community through physical and social activity. Organizes events and programs promoting health, wellness, and camaraderie among veterans.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitment to honoring and empowering wounded veterans through collaborative initiatives providing vital resources including mental health support, rehabilitation services, and career opportunities.
• Team RubiconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership harnessing veteran skills and experiences to rapidly deploy emergency response teams to areas impacted by disasters. Enables veterans to continue serving communities and bring hope and relief to those in need.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Others

• Animal Sanctuary Association: Industry accreditation body for animal sanctuaries in the U.S. and Canada, of which Villa Chardonnay was a member since 2019. Comparable as a peer-association relationship, not a competitor.

Direct peers

• Days End Farm Horse Rescue: Maryland-based equine rescue and rehabilitation organization with large-scale horse intake and lifelong care commitments. Comparable in scale, equine specialization, and rescue-to-sanctuary pipeline.
• Gentle Barn: California-based sanctuary for rescued farm animals and horses with a strong public-visitation and education program. Comparable in multi-species sanctuary model and Southern California donor base.
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary: Dedicated equine sanctuary in Northern California caring for abused, neglected, and abandoned horses for life. Closest direct comparable by species focus, sanctuary (non-adoption) model, and California footprint.
• Piedmont Equine Sanctuary: Virginia-based equine sanctuary providing permanent care for neglected and abandoned horses. Comparable in small-staffed, no-kill equine sanctuary operating model.
• Equine Advocates: New York-based equine protection organization operating a horse sanctuary and advocating for at-risk equines including racehorses and PMU mares. Comparable in equine sanctuary focus and advocacy mission.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: Major national animal welfare organization with equine and farm animal programs and grant-making for sanctuaries. Comparable as a large 501(c)(3) funding rescue and sanctuary infrastructure.
• Lollypop Farm: Large regional animal welfare organization in upstate New York operating shelter, adoption, and sanctuary programs for multiple species. Comparable as a multi-species shelter/sanctuary hybrid with similar donor economics.
• Best Friends Animal Society: The largest no-kill animal sanctuary organization in the U.S., operating a sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, and a national network. Directly comparable as a multi-species no-kill sanctuary with similar donor and sponsorship economics.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Largest U.S. animal welfare organization operating sanctuaries (e.g., Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch) and funding equine rescue. Comparable as a national animal welfare nonprofit with sanctuary operations.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@horseswithwings?si=mdGwGa7PeCNRCq1D
• Facebookfacebook.com/villachardonnayhorses?mibextid=7B2xQ4
• Instagraminstagram.com/vchorseswithwings?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• TikToktiktok.com/@animalswithwings?_t=8ozsJFKM034&_r=1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/villachardonnayhorseswithwingsinc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings Inc.