Getting to know the residents of Cashmere’s local animal sanctuary

CASHMERE— A compassionate home for rejected and abused animals resides in the Cashmere area, providing nine different species of critters with their natural habitats while educating locals on the most ethical ways to raise them. Run by nature loving Anna and Eric Gullickson, Ridge 2 River Animal Haven aims to counteract the unethical practices of the agriculture industry by spreading awareness about the direct effects that overconsumption has on animals. 

Anna Gullickson acts as president of Ridge 2 River, overseeing the care of each animal resident, training volunteers, and organizing educational programs. With such a detailed understanding of every animal and their individual needs, Gullickson takes all her visitors on a thorough tour of the sanctuary, making sure to introduce each unique resident in the hopes of teaching people something new.

Gullickson likes to start with their goats and sheep who, like all their animal residents, present a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The two goats, Sage and Woody, are twin brothers, rejected from the dairy where they were born. They now chomp away on their cud with a sense of zen nonchalance. 

“Sage is super friendly and wants to headbutt and play,” Gullickson described with a smile. “And Woody’s just also a big lover and just wants to cuddle.”

Though they continue to live happy and comfortable lives, their upbringing within the dairy industry continues to scar them. As is general practice in dairies, both Sage and Woody’s horns were seared off at the skull when still extremely young. This causes their skulls to remain somewhat fragile, leaving them highly sensitive and vulnerable to injury.

Regardless, Sage and Woody enjoy healthy lives at Ridge 2 River alongside their Blackbelly Sheep neighbor, Basil, who locals had found tied to a tree in the wilderness.

After surviving with no food and water for three days, Basil now accentuates a bold and independent personality, taking her time to trust new faces. 

“Basil is really sassy,” Gullickson shared, “but she also is super affectionate at the same time.”  

Across the lawn from the goats, a little barn rests, full of 14 bunnies taking refuge from the summer sun. With their cuddly appearance and pet store availability, Gullickson says that bunnies are often some of the most misunderstood animals. Commonly bought as gifts for young children, many people don’t understand that bunnies are often territorial, require socialization with other bunnies, and don’t appreciate being picked up. 

Bunnies are also burrowing animals, and they will easily become anxious or depressed if they are unable to dig new shelters and pathways. Hence, the many secret passages leading in and out of the bunny barn.

If given the right conditions, however, even territorial bunnies show their fluffy personalities. 

“The bunnies, over time, they love getting their medicine as a treat every morning,” Gullickson said. “The ones that get meds run up to me, and they get so excited to eat their piece of banana with medicine in it.” 

Nearby, a covered area full of small trees provides a tiny green oasis for a ragtag flock of chickens, peahens, and ducks. Each feathered resident has their own story and personality, like Roo, the gentleman rooster who protects his hen neighbors and always ensures they eat first. Ridge 2 River rescued Roo after a local advertised him as having one hour before being put into a freezer. 

“He’ll guard the hens when they’re laying their eggs…” Gullickson described Roo’s dedication. “When it’s time for bed he guides them inside. He takes his duty very seriously.”

Farther up the hillside, an unlikely trio naps amongst the dried shrubs and sagebrush. The two resident pigs, Squidward and Beni, share their enclosure with their cat friend, Pearl. Squidward, with malformed back legs and a history of starvation, is extra small for his age. Gullickson believes he may have been raised to be a ‘teacup’ pig, a fake breed of miniature pig created by starving a piglet of nutrition and preventing its growth by physically restraining it. 

Now, Squidward has little to complain about. He is lazing in his personally designed mud puddle and sharing meals with his two close friends.   

“Seeing Squidward come from where he was, so grumpy and just unhappy, to the pig you see today has been amazing,” Gullickson said as she used a back scratcher to pet him on his upturned belly. 

As Gullickson wrapped up her tour with the Cashmere Record, she touched on what inspires her passion for caring for and learning about so many different creatures.

“Overall, my favorite part of taking care of them is seeing their transition and seeing how they are when they come in,” she shared. “And then, after time, when they know that this is their home and they’re respected and loved and getting all their needs met, how you see their full personality. Some take a long time, some take less time, but I’ve been able to gain everyone’s trust, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Moving forward with their goal to confront the negative effects of animal exploitation at the hands of massive industries, Ridge 2 River is pursuing the further education of local youth and adults. The Ridge 2 River team believes that real impacts can be made only through the spread of awareness and a more intimate understanding of animals and their needs.

In this educational direction, Gullickson and her team plan to spread their voices, teaching the next generation of Washingtonians the importance of respecting and caring for their fellow creatures through a variety of different avenues. 

“We’re super excited about the LEAP program and having that this year, and hopefully doing presentations in more classrooms, just getting more field trips up here,” Gullickson said, listing off a few of the many ways they seek to educate locals. “We would love more interest in field trips and visitors to the sanctuary where they can meet the residents.” 

As the sun sets on Cashmere’s dusty hills, each of Ridge 2 River’s many unique residents rest easy, knowing they have a comfortable and healthy home. While they enjoy their well-deserved sanctuary, the mission to help the millions of other animals neglected and abused by the agriculture industry continues well underway. 

For more information on Ridge 2 River Animal Haven and its many residents, visit their official website at ridge2river.org. 

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media