Ramona

The Animal Trust Sanctuary, an animal orphanage in Ramona operated by Patricia Nelson, was handed over to Fund for Animals Thursday because Nelson, 81, wanted to retire.

Fund for Animals, an international animal-protection league that has been involved in rescuing goats on San Clemente Island for six years, has used the sanctuary as a first stop for the goats, which are then distributed throughout California and Texas. The sanctuary now has 145 goats available for adoption along with other animals, including cats, dogs, horses, pigs and 12 burros recently brought in from Death Valley.

The sanctuary is a five-acre parcel of land with six pastures. The new managers, Chuck and Cindy Traisi of Fund for Animals, said they also look after all veterinarian needs.

The sanctuary is used to house homeless animals and those designated by the government as being problems. The goats on San Clemente Island are joined by kit foxes from the same place and the burros as being problems.

Cleveland Amory, director of Fund for Animals, said the sanctuary is not for people who want to abandon their pets.

“We don’t want animals that people want to get rid of because they are moving into an apartment or to the East,” he said. “We don’t want to take responsibility. If they are determined to abandon them, we suggest they talk to their friends. We’re for the little lost soul.”

The goats at the sanctuary can be adopted in pairs by people who have the land to raise them. The cost for female goats is $35 and the cost for males is $25.