donkey dashin' - buy a donkey or two!
Just $5 to purchase a donkey to dash your friends and join the fun!
Did you know you can purchase a donkey to join in the fun at Safe Acres Animal Sanctuary? You are welcome to purchase a donkey or three and share in the fun and play along with Safe Acres Animal Sanctuary and go Donkey Dashin'.
We want to see how far our limited edition donks can travel! We hope you will join us and pick up some donkeys to share with friends!
would you like to help them?
Your support and contributions enable us to continue our animal and equine rescues and save lives! Together we can achieve so much for the animals. Every little bit helps buy food, vet care, hoof care, rehabilitation, training, warmth and safety! Nonprofit #: 501(c)(3) 85-4315873
Email: SafeAcresSanctuary@gmail.com
Safe Acres Sanctuary - Saving lives, One heartbeat at a time
Our Team
all because of smudge
all because of smudge
Our team of Safe Acres volunteers, trainers, sponsors and supporters is what allows us to keep going, The team of supporters is so valuable to each and every animal and equine rescue we partake in. Those who have donated hay, funds, expertise, moral support, time, fencing..... the list goes on; those are the true heroes of Safe Acres,
Our team of Safe Acres volunteers, trainers, sponsors and supporters is what allows us to keep going, The team of supporters is so valuable to each and every animal and equine rescue we partake in. Those who have donated hay, funds, expertise, moral support, time, fencing..... the list goes on; those are the true heroes of Safe Acres, we are so grateful for their generosity and love of animals! nonprofit # 501(c)(3) 85-4315873
all because of smudge
all because of smudge
all because of smudge
SAS formed because of a 4 month old donkey headed to a slaughterhouse in Mexico. We loaded the pickup and trailer and drove to Texas to save him! Once we arrived, we witnessed a side of the equine industry we did not know existed. We filled our trailer with as many as we could haul and headed back to Oregon with heavy hearts for those
SAS formed because of a 4 month old donkey headed to a slaughterhouse in Mexico. We loaded the pickup and trailer and drove to Texas to save him! Once we arrived, we witnessed a side of the equine industry we did not know existed. We filled our trailer with as many as we could haul and headed back to Oregon with heavy hearts for those we had to leave behind. We arrived home with a determination to make a difference for as many equine as we can! We formed Safe Acres Animal Sanctuary, an equine rescue and sanctuary! A nonprofit to serve the animals.
Our Mission
all because of smudge
Our Mission
Safe Acres focuses on the location and rescue of horses, mules and donkeys suffering abuse, neglect and/or are facing the slaughterhouse pipeline. We rescue, rehabilitate, revive, rehome, retire and share a compassion with these animals that they may have never received. We believe that we owe these animals a life free of abuse, free
Safe Acres focuses on the location and rescue of horses, mules and donkeys suffering abuse, neglect and/or are facing the slaughterhouse pipeline. We rescue, rehabilitate, revive, rehome, retire and share a compassion with these animals that they may have never received. We believe that we owe these animals a life free of abuse, free of neglect and full of opportunities and love. Our nonprofit animal and equine rescue was created to help save lives that would otherwise end ruthlessly and in fear, pain and tragedy.
meet our board of directors
Vicki bennett
Vicki's story began with a baby donkey who was headed to slaughter and a young untouched Mustang named Ha'apai; it has since grown into an equine sanctuary supporting donkeys, mules, domestic horses, mustangs, and the humans who need them. As her understanding of the plight of unwanted equine deepened, her commitment sharpened. She co-founded Safe Acres Sanctuary with her husband, Travis, and has actively participated in every holistic horsemanship training course she could to grow into the best version of a rescuer/trainer/gentler/guardian possible.
A ROTH certified trainer, Vicki is responsible for the care, training, and support of the 50 equines at Safe Acres. Her commitment to each equine as an individual remains solid amid any challenge. What sets Vicki apart is the rare combination of sharp business sense coupled with profound sensitivity; she is caring yet strong, strategic yet deeply connected to every soul in her care.
From complete greenhorn to ROTH trainer, Vicki's unyielding dedication turns fear into freedom, one hoofbeat at a time.
MICHELLE ANDERSON
Michelle is a valuable addition to everything that keeps the gears of Safe Acres Sanctuary turning! Michelle has a heart for the underdog and it is the heart of a champion! Her dedication to keeping this sanctuary running smoothly, grant writing, advertising, fund raisings and literally anything that we need help with is unmatched! Michelle is dedicated to securing a future for Safe Acres and keeping us sustainable and moving forward in a positive direction. Her professional background and organization skills make her invaluable to our organization! She brings professional grant writing, organization, unmatched positivity and energy and support to everything she touches - and we are blessed that she is a part of our Board of Directors!
erin hussey
Erin serves as a board member for Safe Acres Sanctuary. A project engineer with a general contractor, Erin brings a strong organizatinal skillset and top notch project management skills to the board. Erin has a proven track record of fostering community partnerships. In her previous role as Wellness Chairman for her company, she spearheaded initiatives connecting employees with nonprofits. Erin's lifelong passion for animals and community began in childhood volunteering and has led her to owning her own horses and farm. Recently, Erin has completed a 60 hour course with Reach Out to Horses learning to train and support remedial horses and built a much broader understanding of equine behavior and learning. Erin embraces the transformative power of providing horses with the environment to thrive. This experience has further fueled her commitment to Safe Acre's mission of offering rescue horses safety, care and a chance to succeed. Erin is a valued member of the Safe Acres team.
tonya lunsford
Tonya serves as a board member for Safe Acres Sanctuary. Central Oregon has always been home and always will be; no matter how big it gets. Tonya has owned her family store, Ferguson’s Market, with her husband, Randy – for sixteen years, it’s been in the
family for over 50. Tonya took a giant leap and adopted two horses from a local rescue and has been rescuing and supporting horses since.
Those two horses (Ginger &; Trixie) changed her life for the better. Ginger and Trixie were not desirable for adopters because they could not be ridden. None of that mattered to Tonya, she just wanted to learn how to support them and make them feel safe, secure and loved! Tonya solidly believes that horses are amazing and should not be treated with any disrespect or unkindness. Those two horses have
passed on andTonya has continued to adopt and support an additional six more horses!
A local business owner and fellow horse guardian, Tonya brings both business expertise, community connection and extensive knowledge of care for the compromised equine with her to SAS. She is dedicated to improving the lives of all equine, not just the equine in her personal care. Serving as the 2026 Secretary for the board, Tonya helps maintain and improve the records for each equine at the sanctuary.
travis bennet
Travis brings a lifetime of horsemanship to Safe Acres. As the co-founder of Safe Acres Animal Sanctuary, Travis is dedicated to creating a safe and stable environment for all equine. As a local business owner, Travis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the board of Safe Acres.