Please COMPLETE BOTH REQUIRED MATERIALS
Please review the following information On program rules, health & Safety Guidelines, and ranch directions
BIG Heart Ranch has multiple rescue animals, including; bunnies, guinea pigs, chickens, a peacock, horses, mini horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, alpaca, a cow, and wild mustangs. Our ranch is not your typical petting zoo, and many of our animals roam freely around the ranch during the day. Therefore, it is REQUIRED for everyone to wear closed toed shoes. Pants are highly recommended for your own safety.
Upon arrival, please park your vehicle in the gravel parking lot, escort your child to the picnic table area that is just beyond the big blue 2 story barn/garage, and to the right of our garden. A staff member will be there to check you in, will assist you through the gate and point you in the direction of our meeting spot.
Our goal is to provide an amazing experience for anyone who comes to BHR, and in order to do this, we have to ensure the safety of both our human and animal friends. Please review the below guidelines and policies. BHR reserves the right to ask guests to leave if they do not adhere to these policies. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Amanda at amanda@bigheartranch.org.
Program Information
Our maximum capacity is set to 24, in order to ensure the safety of our animal friends and all those in attendance. THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. Again, we are unable to safely accommodate more than 24 children and ask that no child is brought for a session that has not been registered.
As a courtesy to others, please notify us if your child is not able to attend their chosen session so another child has the opportunity to attend. Cancellations made with more than 24hrs notice are refundable. Cancellations made within 24hrs of the session are non-refundable.
Our focus will be on Kindness through Animal Education (history of the breed, dietary requirements/habits, grooming, exercise, etc). We want to be very interactive with the children in the care of the animals and foster the awareness of responsibility when owning a pet / being kind in dealing with those animals/humans who may be different than us / and learn to apply emotional management skills during their interactions. These skills can then be applied in any setting to foster confidence and awareness of one’s self.
Each session is 1hr 15minutes.
Please arrive on time for drop off/pick up as the sessions will start promptly. Any child arriving more than 15 minutes late may not be able to participate in all scheduled activities.
If there is an emergency and you are running late for drop off/pick up, please contact Amanda at amanda@bigheartranch.org or send a text to 231-675-9484.
Parents/Guardians may stay with their child or on the property during the session. Those who choose to stay with the session are welcome to also enter the animal enclosures with their group but MUST wear closed toed shoes and actively participate in social distancing. Those who wish to remain on the property while they wait can do so in their vehicle, in the designated green meeting area, or at our picnic tables near the garden.
Parents/Guardians who do stay must sign a Release of Liability Waiver.
In an effort to make the program accessible to as many families as possible, children are not permitted to attend both sessions in a day.
For your convenience, siblings are allowed to attend the same session, regardless of the age parameters. Please reference instructions found here for more information on how to do this.
Each WEEK will have a different theme, therefore, it is advised to sign your child up for only one session per week.
Ranch Rules and Code of Conduct
We love our animal friends, and we know you love yours, but for safety/liability purposes we ask that you leave your furry friends at home when visiting BIG Heart Ranch.
We are not providing food during the sessions, however, we do have filtered water available for anyone bringing a water bottle (we do not have water bottles/cups available as we are environmentally conscious about reducing our waste). We strongly encourage providing your child with a water bottle.
CLOSED TOED SHOES ARE REQUIRED to participate in the animal activities.
Long pants are preferable to wear because of the close interactions we have with the animals and long pants also protect against flies/mosquitos.
Please DO NOT WALK AROUND THE RANCH or enter any enclosures without being accompanied by a staff member or volunteer.
For the safety of our bunnies/guinea pigs, do not enter their enclosures.
Please close all gates/doors behind you.
Do not run, climb on any structures, throw items, or jump on/off any structure.
Please do not feed any of our animals. Due to their medical backgrounds, it could be deadly to many of our animals to receive unauthorized food.
Please do not chase the animals or try to jump on them at any time. Most of our animals come to us already instilled with fear, due to past abuse/situations, and we want to provide them with the safest and most loving environment that we can at BHR.
Keep in mind, that normal communication amongst horses and goats, is often displayed as nipping/nibbling. Please do not put your hands near any animal's mouth as they may nibble and always be mindful of where your body is in relation to their mouths.
AT NO TIME is it permitted for anyone to enter the round pen with the wild mustangs and please refrain from petting them even if they are by the edge of the corral.
COVID Guideline Policy
Our maximum capacity is set at 24 to ensure we strictly adhere to the LA County Guidelines for safety practices during COVID. This allows us to safely and effectively social distance during all activities.
Please bring a mask and wear it at all times while you are at the ranch.
We have multiple sinks for handwashing, as well as, hand sanitizer placed around the ranch for easy access.
Visiting & VOLUNTEERING AT BIG HEART RANCH
If you/your family/friends would like to spend more time with the animals, we do offer private paid tours and would be happy to schedule you for a specific day/time. Please email Sandie at sandie@bigheartranch.org to request a tour.
If you would be interested in volunteering, we do provide a 2 hour volunteer orientation to familiarize you with the animals and the duties needed to be completed on a daily basis. Please contact Amanda at amanda@bigheartranch.org to arrange a day/time for your orientation. Please be advised that no children under the age of 14 are allowed to volunteer. Again, this is for safety reasons and you will be referred to a trained staff member to facilitate your paid tour if you have children under the age of 14.
Directions to BIG Heart Ranch :
BIG Heart Ranch: 31409 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Travelling North from Kanan Dume Rd - continue north on the PCH until you pass Zuma Beach.
Once you pass the Trancas Market Place, turn right onto La Herran, which is the second right after Trancas Market Place.
Follow La Herran, and when the road continues straight or curves to the right, continue straight (it looks like a one way road but it is not) and you will see a big gate at the end of the road. You will pass a small blue house on your right.
Make a right turn once you pass the blue house and follow the dirt driveway to the dirt parking lot. Walk up toward the big blue barn on the right, where the tables and umbrellas are.
