Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Speaking with Los Banos resident Karli Jorge reminded me of those words. It always amazes me how much of a difference the efforts of a few can make.
Jorge is the granddaughter of my dear friend Marion Lisotto, who, knowing my great love for all animals so well, shared the story about the rescue Jorge volunteers at to help animals.
Jorge is a member of the Screaming Horse Ranch and Animal Rescue. She immediately hooked me when she shared that it considerably helps with animal evacuations during fires and aids, cares and protects animals during natural disasters.
When I asked about her involvement, Jorge responded, “I have known the founder, Christine Sedillo, my whole life.
“We have always been involved in rehabilitating, protecting and seeking the well-being of all living creatures, so when she told me she was starting an animal rescue and wanted me to be a part of it, I simply responded.”
Now, let me introduce you to an incredible rescue run by a group of young women and led by their founder, Christine Sedillo, who shares their story. Screaming Horse Rescue is a remarkable place where the volunteers’ hearts beat for horses and animals needing rescuing.
The people who run this nonprofit are a close-knit group of family and friends who love animals. They all work together to provide a safe and loving environment.
Sedillo is the lead in animal care and oversees fundraising. Kylee Fernandez is the treasurer. Fernandez is also a co-founder, board member, and support staff member.
Wendy Towner, another co-founder and board member, is the lead trainer specializing in animal behavior who works with all creatures, great and small.
A nutritionist, volunteer and technical support staff member, Itzel Towner is the logo designer. Jorge is an active volunteer in charge of social media and photography. Pam Towner is another volunteer responsible for senior equine care.
This is how it all began. According to the rescue’s website, Sedillo grew up on an organic farm in the rural part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There, she helped her parents and siblings on the farm.
She spent her spare time playing with animals and horseback riding with her mother, her sister Wendy and her friend Kylee. As a teenager, she noticed a substantial increase in her community’s cat population.
Determined to make a difference, Sedillo took odd jobs to raise money for cat traps. After catching cats and kittens, she paid for them to be spayed or neutered at a local low-cost clinic.
Even though she’d release the adults, Sedillo would tame the kittens and put them up for adoption. If she couldn’t find them homes, Sedillo would release the felines in the areas they came from.
After successfully improving the cat population, she turned her attention to the dog population. Sedillo has spayed 1,200 plus cats and 500 plus dogs in the last 23 years—all out of her own pocket.
Sedillo credits Bob Barker, who hosted “The Price is Right” for many years, as one of her inspirations. Barker often spoke of his love for animals and the need for spaying, neutering and finding them loving homes.
Other well-known celebrities—like Doris Day and Betty White, to name a few—spent much of their time and money helping animals unable to help themselves.
In February 2023, an animal shelter contacted Sedillo to ask for her help with its second-largest horse seizure in weeks because it had already used all its resources.
She stepped up and cared for 10 possibly pregnant mares experiencing a difficult time getting placed because of their age and malnourished state.
Sedillo decided to follow her dream of opening a nonprofit animal shelter for small and large animals in need at that moment. Her sister and friends jumped in to help her. While they specialize in equine care, they accept various animals.
The rescue opens its heart to neglected, abused and unwanted animals. It has an unwavering commitment to finding homes for and rehabilitating creatures in need.
The rescue works tirelessly to provide each animal with individualized care and attention so they can flourish. Because they are proud to give these animals another chance, the members strongly emphasize training them so they’ll have brighter futures.
Why is the increase in unwanted animals so problematic? According to Sedillo, one issue is that many people don’t want or can’t afford to spay or neuter their pets.
She told me we’re in an animal crisis, and she wishes people would adopt rather than buy. Sedillo suggests that people call around to find the best, most cost-friendly deal.
The problem is real. The Best Friends Animal Society states that in 2023, 573,024 animals were brought to California shelters.
According to the 2023 Shelter Animals Count (SAC) analysis, 6.5 million animals (3.3 million cats and 3.2 million dogs) were placed in shelters and rescue organizations.
Stephanie Filer, SAC’s executive director, states, “Of greater concern than the volume of animals entering shelters, even, is the ongoing reality that more animals are entering shelters than leaving, perpetuating this national capacity crisis.”
These disturbing facts highlight the importance of Sedillo’s group and encourage the volunteers at Screaming Horse Rescue to do more. Sedillo says her greatest satisfaction is watching an animal brought to the rescue with a broken soul heal.
The rescue stays in touch with adoptive owners and always tells them to return their pets to the rescue if things don’t work out. One of the group’s long-term goals is to give lifelong care to disabled, injured or special needs animals.
Sedillo would love to match people with disabilities or special needs with their own loving support animal. Remember: animals don’t care what car you drive or home you live in—they only want to be loved.
If they get some attention and love from you, they’re happy to wait at home while you’re working. I know I’d be lost without my dog, Yogi, and cat, Lola Bunny: they give me so much more than I could ever give them.
A Facebook entry about the rescue caught my eye. It tells the story of two Modesto dogs—a blind poodle and an older dog—Screaming Horse Rescue members transported.
They were told these dogs had no fosters in their future and would likely be put down. Today, the dogs are safe and cared for.
The Los Banos Animal Shelter recently contacted the Screaming Horse Rescue members and asked them if they could care for two dogs.
They agreed and will bring the dogs to Screaming Horse Rescue to prevent them from being euthanized. This is just one example of how widely the rescue’s caring members spread their love for all animals.
I was told that shelters are suffering because they’re unable to care for all surrendered and loose animals.
People dump their animals on the roadside—animals no different than the beloved pets that provide such unconditional love. This situation has worsened with the increase in rentals that refuse pets.
Matt Bershadker, the president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), believes that improving this crisis is possible if individuals advocate for more pet-friendly housing and provide affordable vet care and spaying and neutering services.
He also believes pets will have a higher chance of staying in homes if seniors receive assistance caring for them. That way, seniors can continue having their pets’ loving company. Fortunately, my rental allows two pets, although with deposits.
Screaming Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that solely relies on the generosity of its donors. While Screaming Horse Rescue has plenty of land, it needs donations to help build more sheltering buildings and purchase necessities like kennels and food.
Every donation directly benefits the care and well-being of the innocent animals they take in. You can reach the Screaming Horse Rescue by contacting Sedillo at 408-317-5380.
Los Banos also has a shelter that you can reach at 209-827-7089 for information on adoption or to donate. You can also contact Kate’s Furreka Rescue at 209-410-3620 and visit Ark Rescue Inc. at 20176 Overland Road, Los Banos.
The City of Dos Palos Animal Control also has animals in its facility, located at 1546 Golden Gate Ave., Dos Palos. You can also contact them at 209-392-2176.
Remember: if you want to give an animal as a gift, please know what pet would make the best match and if the pet is wanted.
I know Christmas seems a long way off, but we know it’ll be here in two wags of a dog’s tail. If some animal lovers on your list are hard to shop for or don’t need anything, donating to the Screaming Horse Rescue or any animal rescue or shelter is a loving choice.
In closing, I share the group’s thoughts: “Most of us have been told that angels have wings, but some of us have learned that they sometimes have paws.” As many often say, “May life treat you the way you treat animals.”
You can reach Diana Ingram at DIngramThurston21@gmail.com.
