Meet the Animals of Rancho Grande

At Rancho Grande, the animals are not scenery—they are the heart of the experience. Guests can meet Albert the camel, walk among goats and alpacas, brush horses, gather fresh eggs and spend quiet time with animals who live fully in the present. Their company invites children and adults to slow down, pay attention and rediscover the pleasure of simple things. These encounters are unscripted, personal and often the moments families remember most.

A group of goats standing behind a wire fence on a farm, with some fog and more goats in the background.
Colorful rooster standing on straw, with blurred orange flowers and green grass in foreground and dark blurred background.

Rancho Grande is both an Ojai guest ranch and a privately funded animal sanctuary. Over the years, our family has welcomed blind goats, rescued pigs, alpacas, abandoned roosters, guinea pigs, dogs and many other animals in need. Each animal is accepted thoughtfully so we can provide a safe, permanent home and protect the wellbeing of the entire herd. We receive no grants or outside funding; our family spends approximately $150,000 each year on food, shelter, veterinary care and the daily needs of the animals. What guests encounter here is not a display—it is a living sanctuary built on responsibility, patience and love.

A large black pig with a round body and small eyes standing outdoors in dirt, with scattered food or grain on the ground, in front of a fence and a wooden door.
A small guinea pig laying on straw next to a blue water bottle with a metal spout.
Six dogs standing in the back of a pickup truck in a rural setting with trees, mountains, and a house in the background. The dogs are of various breeds and colors, some looking at the camera and others looking away.
Four ducklings resting on grass in the sunlight.

Meet some of the animals that live with us

  • White alpaca leaping across Howard Creek at Rancho Grande with ranch fencing and mountain hills behind it.

    Alpaca

    About 50 Alpacas roam the ranch. They are sheered in Spring and the hair is sent to be processed into yarn.

  • A group of goats and sheep standing behind a wire fence on a foggy farm.

    Got Goats?

    We have over 100 Goats. They each have their own name and history. The majority were born at Rancho Grande. They spend the day wandering around the ranch and love to be headed by humans.

  • Sheep grazing on a dirt path in a green field with trees, hills, and cloudy sky in the background.

    Lamb

    We have over 50 lamb. They are sweet animals that love to graze. We sheer them in early spring and make beautiful yarn.

  • Group of small ponies or miniature horses standing outside behind a wire fence, with green grass and trees in the background.

    Mini Horses

    Here we have Mama and her son Cowboy. Mama can give rides to small kids but prefers to just hang out with her son and wander about.

  • A black and gray pig standing outdoors near a gate, with food scattered on the ground.

    Pigs

    Huell was rescued from the butcher shop, He started his life as a 4H project and turned out to be to smart and his owners asked us to take him on. He is extremely friendly and happy. We also have a mini pot belly pig rescued from the street as a baby.

  • A white duck with a yellow bill and a duckling with yellow down standing on hay under a wooden shelter.

    Ducks

    We have a variety of ducks, mostly born here or rescued. They include quite a few Muscovy and Pekin.

  • A light brown guinea pig with white markings near its nose, lying on hay with a blue water bottle nearby.

    Guinea Pigs

    Guinea pigs are among the favorite animals at Rancho Grande. We have quite a few female guinea pigs in a barn inside the chicken coop. They live a very happy life and love to be played with.

  • Two black horses standing close together behind a green fence with mountains and a blue sky in the background.

    Horses

    We have three trail horses, Mickey Yogi and Willy if they're not taking guests for rides there in a large pasture by the horse table, just chilling.

  • Albert the camel grazing behind a wooden fence in a green Rancho Grande pasture.

    Albert the Camel

    What can we say about our camel Albert? We brought him in when he was a month old and have been connected to him at the hip ever since he's a worldwide social media sensation with over 100 million views.

  • A colorful rooster standing on the ground in front of a background of green grass and plants, with a blurred area of red and yellow flowers in the foreground.

    Chickens

    We have dozens of chickens and roosters. Many roosters were left here by people who purchased baby chicks and couldn't deal with the larger noisy roosters. We try to take in every one that we can. The chickens are great egg layers and eggs are available in the chicken coop.

  • Two colorful parrots perched on a rope above a motivational sign outdoors. The sign contains inspirational text about courage, pride, finishing tasks, and keeping promises.

    Macaws

    We have two beautiful sister macaws born 2010. Their names are Babe and Ruth.They have quite a vocabulary and usually talking to each other at sunset for no reason.

  • Group of rabbits and guinea pigs lying on hay in an enclosure.

    Rabbits

    Rabbits can be found in the chicken coop, living with the guinea pigs, and sometimes in the greenhouse, enjoying all the greens.

  • Multiple dogs on a black utility vehicle with a rural house and mountains in the background

    Dogs

    What can we say, we live with 10 dogs in a small cabin. Clearly our best friends who give us unconditional love. You will meet them wandering around the ranch with each other. They are all very friendly and we will greet you with enthusiasm. The first time they meet you.

  • Two young brown and beige patterned birds resting on the ground among green grass, rocks, and small plants, with stone and wood surroundings.

    Quail

    The Quayle live in our greenhouse. Most are from eggs hatched here at the ranch. They produce lovey eggs that are tasty and they are fun animals to watch.

  • A turtle walking on grass near a greenhouse or garden structure.

    Tortoises

    We have some interesting tortoises that live in our greenhouse. They hibernate in cold weather but can be found roaming the large area of the greenhouse looking for food. Please be careful with them and watch where you step. Try not to pick them up please.

  • Guinea fowl pecking at food on the grass at the Rancho Grande animal sanctuary.

    Guinea fowl

    Guinea fowl live in the chicken coup. They are loud and funny looking and somewhat meaner then a chicken or duck.

  • Daisy and Mayzie, the miniature donkeys, sharing hay at Rancho Grande in Ojai.

    Miniature Donkeys

    A pair of sweet miniature donkeys has just arrived at Rancho Grande. They are louder than loud, beautiful, happy and gentle animals who love people. Their brays carry across the valley, and they are already making themselves at home with the rest of the ranch family.