A 400-Mile Journey of Hope
Saving 20 senior alpacas — three days, freezing rain, and an extraordinary community of animal lovers.
How it began
Sometimes Rescue Begins with a Single Phone Call
For Robin's Nest Rescue, that call came from one of our veterinarians with an urgent plea: twenty senior alpacas needed help.
Their longtime owner, an 87-year-old woman named Thelma, had spent more than two decades lovingly caring for her herd. But after the tragic loss of her partner, mounting financial hardship, and the heartbreaking reality of having to sell her farm, she was faced with an impossible decision — finding somewhere safe for the animals she loved like family.
There wasn't much time.
Without hesitation, our team said yes.
What followed was a remarkable three-day rescue mission spanning more than 400 miles, powered by compassion, determination, and an incredible community of animal lovers.
Day one
Racing Against the Storm
With support from our friends at BAE Ranch and Lions Tigers & Bears, our team assembled a caravan of trucks and trailers and headed north toward Fresno.
The forecast wasn't kind.
Freezing rain. Long hours. Mud. Unpredictable road conditions.
But rescue rarely waits for perfect weather.
When the team arrived in the early morning hours, the reality of the task ahead became clear. Twenty senior alpacas — many elderly, some fragile — needed to be carefully loaded and prepared for the long journey south.
Everyone was soaked within minutes.
Still, no one stopped.
Because every animal in that field mattered.
The hardest part
Thelma's Goodbye
Perhaps the most emotional part of the journey wasn't the storm.
It was saying goodbye.
For more than twenty years, Thelma had cared for these alpacas with devotion. Their names, personalities, quirks, and routines were woven into the fabric of her daily life.
Letting them go was heartbreaking — but knowing they would be safe brought peace.
She entrusted us not only with the animals, but with their history.
Detailed records. Carefully maintained equipment. Fleece processing supplies she had lovingly preserved over the years.
And something even more valuable: her trust.
Day two — arrival
Through the Night to Safety
After nearly 12 grueling hours on the road, the caravan finally rolled into Ramona in the early morning darkness.
The rain still hadn't let up.
But the work wasn't over.
For another four hours, volunteers unloaded alpacas in the storm, guiding each one carefully into shelter, checking their condition, and helping them settle into unfamiliar surroundings.
Exhausted didn't begin to describe it.
But neither did fulfilled.
Because by sunrise, twenty lives had changed forever.
Two stories from the herd
Meet Neptune — and Hope
Every rescue has its stories.
Among this herd was Neptune, a resilient black alpaca who had previously survived a mountain lion attack. His scars tell a story of survival, and now he'll receive the specialized care he needs to live safely and comfortably.
And then there was Hope.
One name that seemed to capture everything this mission represented.
Hope for animals facing uncertain futures.
Hope for second chances.
Hope for healing.
Meet them in person on our Awesome Alpacas page.
Built by the village
A Community Effort
This rescue was never just about Robin's Nest.
It was made possible by extraordinary partners who stepped up when it mattered most.
Some alpacas found permanent homes with trusted sanctuary partners, including Lions Tigers & Bears, while others remained here at Robin's Nest, where they began quarantine and evaluation before joining the herd.
It was a true community rescue — proof that when compassionate people come together, extraordinary things happen.
Our why
Why We Rescue
At Robin's Nest Rescue, we believe every animal deserves dignity, safety, and love — especially in their senior years.
This mission was physically exhausting, emotionally overwhelming, and logistically complex.
And we would do it again in a heartbeat.
Because rescue changes lives.
Not just theirs.
Ours, too.
We rescue them. They save us.
See the journey
Watch the Story
A short film capturing the senior alpaca rescue mission from the road to the sanctuary.
Help Support Neptune, Hope, and Their Friends
Caring for senior alpacas requires ongoing feed, veterinary care, shelter, and specialized support. Help these beautiful animals live out their golden years in comfort.
Donate to Robin's Nest