BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

Jacqueline Severt described her Ashe County neighborhood as total devastation after Hurricane Helene hit last fall.

“The next morning, I stepped out onto my front porch to check my surroundings and all I could see was trees down all over my road and the surroundings of my neighborhood,” she said.

After assessing the situation, she realized many of her neighbors had lost everything, and that included the animals of the community.

That led to a social media post and the involvement of Statesville-based Rescue Ranch.

“I made a post on Facebook and, of course, it goes viral,” she said. “This is where Rescue Ranch came into play. They were able to deliver us several loads of needs for the locals and their animals.”

Severt told a full house at Twisted Oak in Downtown Statesville Wednesday about how Rescue Ranch came to the assistance of her community in the aftermath of the hurricane at the organization’s Giving Lunch.

A vet tech who runs an equine and canine massage therapy business, Severt said the assistance of the animal welfare organization was invaluable in the days after the hurricane.

“Even though my local people needed help so did their animals and our local farmers who lost everything, including their hay and feed barns,” she said.

Rescue Ranch, she said, helped ease that burden. The food for all types of animals — from pocket pets to livestock — was a blessing for the community, she said.

“As this may not seem like much to some it was the only thing keeping some of these animals alive during this time as farmers and pet owners had lost everything. I cannot begin thank Rescue Ranch enough for all of the support and help during this time. Even when I didn’t ask for help they were there,” she said.

Rescue Ranch founder and president Krissie Newman talked about the organization’s work caring for its animal ambassadors and educating the community about animal welfare.

The ranch houses more than 80 animal ambassadors from guinea pigs to horses and cows. Education programs teach hundreds of children each year about animal welfare.

Teaching future generations about compassion for and care of animals is a vital part of the nonprofit’s mission, Newman said.

The ranch includes a nature trail, an inclusive playground and a memorial garden featuring a piece of the former gas chamber at Iredell County Animal Services.

“By putting animals in the child’s hands we are teaching them the importance of care. It is very impactful for them and learning compassion and empathy,” Newman said.

Newman said a major reason for the success of the ranch is its staff and volunteers.

Two of those volunteers talked about what giving their time to the ranch means to them.

Kim Shaffer and Carol Ruxton have both volunteered for the Rescue Ranch for more than three years.

“The ranch is a very emotional place for me. It’s also a very magical place,” Shaffer said, adding that it “truly feels like family there.”

Ruxton talked about the education programs aimed at children. She said the children may be apprehensive when they first are introduced to the animals but that quickly changes when they gingerly hold their hands out with treats to the animals. She compared it to the nervousness of stepping out onto a diving board and taking the plunge.

“Their bravery is really wonderful to watch,” she said,

Maureen Moore, director of community relations, partnership and development for Rescue Ranch, said one of the focuses of the luncheon Wednesday was to encourage people to donate their time and/or money to further the reach of the ranch.

It costs approximately $500 per day to feed the more than 80 animals that call Rescue Ranch home.

“These animals eat seven days a week,” Moore said. “They are precious animals and need our care, our love and our support.”

Two of those animals were in attendance at the luncheon. Leslie Smith and Maddie Hess talked about the two guinea pigs they brought along.

Sam’s Club of Mooresville kicked off the fundraising by presenting a $1,500 donation to the ranch.

Michelle Hepler, executive director of Rescue Ranch, said 2024 was a record year for the organization. The ranch welcomed 14 new animal ambassadors in 2024. And its education programs reached more than 10,200 guests, a 24 percent increase over 2023.

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