Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Locke.
Hi Cheryl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We bought our land over 30 years ago to have a place to keep my 3 horses. At the time making a land payment was cheaper than boarding them. We bought our mobile home in 2007 and that’s wen we started growing. We established Harley’s Place Animal Rescue and became a 501c3 in March of 2022. Now we provide tours, camping, and photography sessions to help support the rescue.
The Story of Harley’s Place
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been rescuing animals. Whether it was a baby bird out of the nest or a turtle in the road, I had to “save” them. As I grew older, I actually learned more about how to do that properly. Now, as an adult, I am fortunate enough to own 40 acres and realize my dream of providing a home for rescued animals.
All of our dogs and cats are rescues, five of our six horses are rescued or have special needs, and our 3 llamas have been rescues. Danik’china (or Cheena for short) and Rosie are our horses that were born on the farm. Our cattle and alpacas have either been bought or were also born on the farm.
Currently we are specializing in geriatric and special needs horses. Although our other animals are just as important, they just don’t require quite the level of care as our horses. Danik’china is blind, Precious Victory has Cushing’s Disease, Bourbon has degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD), Buster had a torn stifle that never healed properly and Jet has a congenital condition called ringbone where the bones in his hoof are fused. All of them are over 15 years old with Buster being the oldest and a spry 28. They all have at least a touch of arthritis in addition to their other health issues so none of them get ridden.
We will do our best to place animals when we can, but most of our animals (especially the horses) reside permanently on our farm to live the best life we can give them.
We chose the name Harley’s Place because Harley Quin is our farm mascot and she is the sweetest, most loving cow imaginable. She does not know what it’s like to be in chronic pain, unloved, uncared for, hungry or mistreated in any way. We absolutely believe all animals should be treated like Harley!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always smooth. There are way too many animals that need a home and we have only so many we can take in. Then we have to think about infrastructure and maintenance. There’s also medication and specialized care for our older or I’ll animals.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own Fangthorn Forest Farm and Harley’s Place Animal Rescue. I am most proud of the rescue. We specialize in geriatric and special needs animals and it’s pretty special to be able to provide a home for at least a few of the animals that need us.
What does success mean to you?
I am living my dream. Can’t be more successful than that!
Pricing:
- Tours are $10 per person. Children under 12 are free.
- Camping is $35 a night for up to 6 people. Booking is through Hipcamp.
- Photography is $75 a session. Cows can be includedcalaners
- Pictures of our animals on canvas. Prices vary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Fangthornforest.net
- Facebook: Harley’s Place Animal Rescue
