About the Sanctuary
Sindisa Sanctuary is an educational rescue ranch operated by the Nature Defense Foundation, located on 125 acres in Healdsburg, CA. We welcomed our first rescue resident in 2015, a retired racehorse from Golden Gate Fields, and now we take care of more than 50 large animals including wild horses, domestic horses, mules, donkeys, pigs, alpacas, cows, and a beloved ranch dog.
Our Mission
Our mission at Sindisa is to provide a forever home for rescued farm animals and to share their joy of freedom with our visitors. We hope to raise awareness around the fact that all animals are sentient beings who deserve fundamental rights and compassion.
Ways you can help
Donate to Sindisa
Volunteer with the animals
Spread the word about inhumane factory farming
Honoring the land
The sanctuary sits atop a ridge in the Maacama Mountains on Southern Pomo and Wappo Lands. Although there are several meanings of Maacama many believe it to have meant “the source of the water” in Wappo, referring to the springs that feed the Napa and Sonoma Rivers. Maacama Creek, which runs though our gully, supports steelhead trout, freshwater shrimp and coho salmon, all of which are threatened. And as per our preservationist outlook, the 250 acres have largely been kept undeveloped to protect its native habitat and history.