Reunions part of massive rescue operation of 700+ animals at Villa Chardonnay

by Karen Pearlman | May 11, 2026 12:54 am

Photo of reunion of Honey, rescued from Villa Chardonnay, and her original owner, along with San Diego Humane Society workers, courtesy of San Diego Humane Society

By Karen Pearlman

May 10, 2026 (Julian) — Amid the logistics of looking into the needs of more than 700 animals seized from an animal sanctuary in Julian, stories of heartbreak and hope are beginning to emerge.

Just over a week since rescue operations began at Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, LLC, the San Diego Humane Society on Sunday, May 10, announced that reunions of animals and their families are officially underway.

SDHS reports that at least one dog, one cat and six horses have returned to their rightful owners as of this past week.

For some, the reunions end many years of separation.

Last Tuesday, two horses — Koa and Chance — were able to reunite with their original owners. Chance’s owner reported that it had been nine years since she last saw her horse.

The rescue of a dog named Honey (see photo at top) provided another remarkable, albeit bittersweet, reunion.

On Day 8 of the operation, Honey was reconnected with her previous owner, who drove down from Murrieta immediately after being contacted by microchip tracers. The owner explained she had rehomed Honey to another family when the dog was a healthy, four-legged 2-year-old. Honey’s subsequent owners eventually surrendered her to Villa Chardonnay.

Now a senior dog missing a front limb, Honey is facing numerous medical concerns. But despite her condition, she is finally back in the hands of her original family.

Background on the rescue and the sanctuary

The initial rescue operation, which began the morning of Friday, May 1 when officers from SDHS and San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the 40-acre sanctuary, has evolved into a massive logistical undertaking. The effort took place when a San Diego Superior Court judge transferred ownership of the animals to the SDHS following a bankruptcy proceeding involving the property.

There had been accusations since 2020 of animals living in poor conditions and their health needs neglected at the site.

The Villa Chardonnay website says the grounds are home to more than 600 rescued animals and note that they animals “find love, safety and a second chance at life.”

The website says that since 2003 when it started in Temecula, Villa Chardonnay has been dedicated to providing a forever home to animals who have been abandoned, neglected or abused, “ensuring they live out their days in peace and comfort. By being a lifeline for these incredible creatures, your tax-deductible donations and ongoing support truly make a world of difference. Together, we can give them the care, compassion, and second chance they deserve!”

Villa Chardonnay was previously located in Hemet, on a leased 31-acre property around 2016-17, after leaving Temecula. The sanctuary faced eviction and, in 2019, accused a person of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The rescued animals and moving forward

The San Diego Humane Society reports that more than 700 animals have been located on the property: 446 cats, 175 horses, 30 dogs, 30 chickens, 12 goats, 8 ducks, 8 geese, 6 mini ponies, 4 donkeys, 4 turkeys, 3 pigs, 3 roosters, 3 red-eared slider turtles, 2 ravens, 1 sheep, 1 bull and 1 crow.

At the Julian property, SDHS continues to maintain a daily presence of 15 to 20 staff members and volunteers to care for the animals remaining on-site. The nonprofit reports that at least one veterinarian is present every day, and the team is currently coordinating needed farrier support for the equines.

For animals transported to five SDHS campuses, including the El Cajon site, the reality of their living conditions is becoming clearer.

Initial medical exams for all 446 cats have been completed. Veterinary staff report that many of the felines are being treated for severe medical issues, including malnutrition, emaciation, untreated open wounds, and highly contagious infections like ringworm and giardia.

Meanwhile, an open legal investigation continues. No criminal charges have been filed against the operators of Villa Chardonnay. According to the group’s Form 990 from 2024, Monika Kerber is listed as Villa Chardonnay’s principal officer. Court documents from 2022 also identify her as Monika Kerber-Perez.

Forms leading to reunification, support needed

San Diego Humane Society teams are working to verify ownership claims.

SDHS spokesperson Nina Thompson said that this week, staff will continue reaching out to more than 100 individuals who submitted forms with SDHS stating they had surrendered or boarded their animals at the Julian sanctuary. Officials are asking for the public’s patience as they navigate the complex verification process during an active investigation.

With local shelters already operating over capacity before the seizure, the Villa Chardonnay rescue effort has placed a huge strain on SDHS resources.

SDHS officials continue to plead with the public to help alleviate the shelter crisis, and note that the biggest impact would be to adopt an available pet, which would create space for the rescued animals.

Financial contributions are also needed to help cover the cost of daily veterinary care, feed and staffing.

For more information, visit sdhumane.org/julianrescue.[1]

Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/reunions-part-of-massive-rescue-operation-of-700-animals-at-villa-chardonnay/

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