News

North Texas Giving Day & Best of Lancaster Award

September 8, 2023 By Kelsey Ivey

North Texas Giving Day is fast approaching on September 21, 2023, and Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) is participating! Our supporters have a unique opportunity to assist us in reaching our goal on this monumental day of giving, which includes bonus funds and surprises from the Communities Foundation of Texas.

Make a North Texas Giving Day gift to Gabby’s Sanctuary Ark

We have a $14,000 goal which includes our fundraising campaign for the new barn and permanent water on the property. Our goal will also allow us to rescue more horses and provide other horsemen a safety net in times of need. To support our goal, visit our fundraising page here.

Best of Lancaster Award 2023

We are honored to share that GSA was awarded Best of Lancaster 2023’s “Best in Animal Protection” by the Lancaster Award Program. We are grateful to those who nominated us for this prestigious award, and we hope to continue this honor for years to come!

We’ve moved!

August 16, 2023 By Kelsey Ivey

A lot has changed since 2020. The biggest update: we moved to a new location! Gabby’s Sanctuary is now located on an 11.5-acre, picturesque, urban ranch located adjacent to over 300 acres of undeveloped forests and hills owned by the Texas Land Conservancy.

Why the change is important

This new location has given us the opportunity to expand the scope and diversity of our programs, with the goal of impacting more lives in positive and meaningful ways.

Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) was established in 2008 and incorporated in 2012. Since our establishment, GSA has provided opportunities for vocational training, employment, and therapy for students, veterans, retirees, and persons with minor criminal records. Through our horse rescue operations, we have provided support through partnerships with school STEM programs for K-12 and college students in the Southern Dallas area. The students focus on the care and management of livestock, primarily horses. Gabby’s programs support educational initiatives that promote job training and workforce readiness.

Gabby’s also provides Disaster Relief for horses and large animals during times of flooding, hurricanes, and other emergencies. We also provide training for horses and for volunteers that come out and
work at our ranch. We provide innovative solutions to create partnerships between businesses and the community to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of horses, veterans, and others in need. A new location will allow us to continue our important work, and so much more.

What’s next?

Despite the important work that Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK does, we are currently facing a major challenge: the barns and stables that are necessary to house the horses need to be built and repair and upgrades are required in vital areas of the property. Many of the structures have yet to be built or are old and dilapidated and need to be provided immediate levels of care so that the horses can be comfortable & thrive in a sustainable environment.

We are embarking on an important fundraising campaign so that we can make necessary upgrades to our new location and continue our important work.

The total budget for this fundraiser is $100,000. This includes the following expenses:

Building planning and development execution: $25,000
Feed and water: $5,000
Equipment and supplies expenses: $5,000
Miscellaneous expenses (e.g. extra supplies, transportation): $5,000

We believe that the construction of the barn for Gabby’s is an important and necessary project that will greatly benefit the horses and the organization. With your help, we can raise the funds needed to build barns that will provide the best possible care and comfort for the horses, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the horse sanctuary.

To make a donation and support our important work, contact us today.

A Letter from Terry

April 25, 2020 By Robb Lawson

Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) is taking part in social distancing. At this time, we are unable to accept new volunteers until the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted by the authorities.

We’re moving and need help

Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK has been located at 2415 Sunny Meadow Road for the past 3 years. However, as of November 2019, the City of Lancaster has acquired the property from the Lancaster ISD. We have been asked to leave the property. GSA is working on purchasing 11.1 acres in Lancaster, Texas but the land is not developed. We know that our programs will continue, and due to the COVID-19 crisis we have been granted more time. This has allowed us to stay longer but we need assistance. This includes a new facility (building), easement clearing, water, electric, clearing of trees and much more.

Missed opportunities

We had an opportunity to assist the re-homing of 10 animals right before the Corona virus crisis began. Unfortunately, we were not able to assist because we were told we had to relocate by April 20, 2020. Due to quarantine restrictions we have been given an extension until the authorities say COVID-19 is over and we can move around. So Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK needs to be rescued.

Cuddles & Coal

Name: Cuddles

Gender: Female

Age: 19

Cuddles is a Welsh pony cross and is mostly blind from her current condition, Equine Recurrent Uveitis, that has affected her within the last six months. She is very sweet and loves to be brushed and loved on. She will need a board fence or a solid fence and a more confined area away from other animals.

Name: Coal

Gender: Castrated Male

Age: 20

Coal is a Quarter Horse and is retired from riding due to intermittent back pain. He is a personable horse who loves attention and has good ground manners.

Eeyore & Cade

Name: Eeyore

Gender: Female

Approximate Age: 10 years

Likes having her ears rubbed and being brushed. Enjoys carrots, apples, and soft peppermint candy on special occasions.

Name: Cade

Gender: Castrated Male

Approximate Age: 9 years

Likes being brushed and enjoys carrots, apples and soft peppermint candy on special occasions.

In closing

The COVID-19 virus has changed our lives forever but I still believe the harmony of animals and people will always be needed. Getting back to basics, enjoying nature is what we all have to do. That is why we are looking forward to the move, so we can bloom where we are going to be planted. Come and see us when we can come together once again.

Please stay safe for you and your loved ones.

Respectfully,

Terry

Christmas Comes Early

December 16, 2019 By Robb Lawson

Christmas came early in November for GSA. Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK hosted a field trip with twelve Vet Tech students and five faculty members from Cedar Valley College on Friday, November 22nd . They came out for a tour and to possibly volunteer. What GSA did not know was the students got together to give us needed supplies for the horses. It was a wonderful time for GSA and the students and faculty members. Some rode horses and talked about their aspirations. We cannot thank them enough for the hay, feed and all the tack and more they provided for us.

Mrs. US Woman — Terry & Lesly Worley, Mrs. U.S. Woman

Then we had another surprise from Mrs. U.S. Women, Lesly Worley, who provided GSA with dog food, socks and towels. GSA was able to share the socks and towels with a group that feeds the homeless individuals every Thursday. We are very thankful for all of the assistance that has been provided to us this year. But we never forget about others.

As we look forward to a new decade, let’s look back on what we’ve accomplished together.

We have rehomed two horses this year and gained two more. Addy and Rhett are new residents of GSA. Come out to see them.
Texas Capital provided funding and toured the facility
GSA has had over 75 new volunteers this year.
GSA provided a community garden and provided fresh vegetables to the volunteers and the community.
The horse and volunteers have blossomed this year and are really very happy.

With your help by making a year-end donation, you will help us continue to provide life-changing services to the horses and the Lancaster community. Your fully tax-deductible gift can be made online or amazon smile when you make a purchase, Pay pal or Facebook network for the good.

GSA would like to wish each and every one a very Happy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do for us.

Terry

We bloom where we are planted

August 28, 2019 By Robb Lawson

Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) would like to honor the volunteers we have had over the summer. We have really bloomed this year with a new garden and a new horse “Cookie” ( 16 hand saddle bred). We have also re-homed two beautiful horses this year.

As the school year starts a lot of the students have gone back to K-12 school or started their first year of college. Javier Flores is one our volunteers that has started a new chapter from high school to college. Javier has been with GSA over 2 years and has mastered the horses and taken on a leadership role at the barn. He has been a role model for many of our young students that volunteered this summer. We wish you the best Javier and look forward to a visit every once in a while. The horses will miss you too! Best wishes, we are very proud of your accomplishments!

GSA is very grateful to the sister and brother team Amos (Certified in irrigation systems) and Susannah Lapp (master gardener). They have planted a garden at the barn that is simply fantastic! The garden includes: squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, collard greens, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, basil and much more. They also provided the tilling and seeds to grow the vegetables and fruit that is for the community. Our primary resident gardener Marty has watered and provided care for our lovely garden weekly, as well. It is so massive that we need more help. So if you feel as though you have a green thumb come out some time and help. We need a few good gardeners! You also get to take home fresh produce that you harvest and the produce is massive.

Finally, we have had many volunteers over the summer and what we found at GSA is that horses heal people when they both connect. We have seen some wonderful transformations in both people and the horses. One example is a father who walked over 3 miles with his son to volunteer with GSA because, his son just relocated from Houston and loves horses. He made it happen for his son that was accustom to spending time with horses every day. That is dedication!

Finally, please do not forget the North Texas Day of Giving, September 19, 2019. GSA appreciates the past contributions that have assisted our organization , however, we need your future contribution, as well. Please get up and give. Thank everyone for the continued support you have provided GSA over the years. More to come in the coming months. Happy trails!