Ricky's Ranch

10/03/2026

We were given Charley last Sunday. Sadly his previous owners could no longer take care of him so thankfully they surrendered Charley to Ricky’s Ranch.

Charley is a 17yr old Mustang gelding from Nevada. He is reserved but very sweet. Charley is blind in one eye and he is slowly beginning to trust us.

He sure is loving his new feed and the unlimited amount of hay. He loves alfalfa hay. Yummy! With Charley being on a high fat diet I think he will gain all of his weight back in no time.

We are going to make a Ricky’s Ranch wish list on Amazon for Charley if anyone would like to send him a gift. I’m sure he would highly appreciate it.

❤️❤️Charley❤️❤️

09/07/2026

🐴 Gunner Needs Our Help With His Final Journey ❤️

We’re sharing this on behalf of Gunner and the people who love him.

After a lifetime of love and companionship, the heartbreaking time has come for Gunner to be humanely euthanized and allowed to leave this world peacefully and with dignity. His family is also hoping to have him cremated so they can bring him home one final time.

Unfortunately, Ricky’s Ranch is not financially able to cover these expenses right now, but we can do something important — use our page and our community to help get Gunner’s story in front of people who may be able to help. ❤️

A GoFundMe has been created to help with the cost of Gunner’s euthanasia and cremation.

🐴 Every donation helps, no matter the amount.
🐴 If you cannot donate, please share this post. A share can reach the person who can.

Gunner has spent his life being loved. Now his family is simply trying to give him the peaceful, dignified goodbye he deserves.

❤️ Please help if you can.

GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/gunners-peaceful-goodbye-and-last-ride-home

Thank you from all of us at Ricky’s Ranch Horse Sanctuary for helping Gunner and his family during an incredibly difficult time. 🐴❤️

Please Help Me Bring My Best Friend’s Horse, Gunner, Home ❤️ I never… Mary Davis needs your support for Gunner's Peaceful Goodbye and Last Ride Home

09/07/2026

🪰 OKEECHOBEE LOVE BUG SURVIVAL KITS — ONLY 8 AVAILABLE! 🪰

The love bugs are back! And anyone who lives in Okeechobee knows how bad they can get. Windshields get covered, stores start running low on washer fluid, and gas-station scrubbers seem to disappear right when you need one.

Our founders put together 8 complete Love Bug Survival Kits and personally purchased and donated all of the supplies.

Each kit includes:

• Windshield scrubber/squeegee
• 1 gallon of windshield washer fluid with bug remover
• Plastic scrubbing pad
• 1 box of 34-count dryer sheets
• Roll of blue shop towels

The kits are $50 each, and 100% of the $50 from every kit sold goes directly to Ricky’s Ranch Horse Sanctuary here in Okeechobee. 🐴❤️

Because all of the supplies were donated, nothing is deducted for expenses. Every dollar goes to the ranch.

There are only 8 kits available this first time around.

🪰 Keep your windshield clean during love bug season.

🐴 Help support the horses at Ricky’s Ranch at the same time.

Message Ricky’s Ranch here on Facebook to claim one.

🇺🇸 Pickup will be TODAY — Labor Day — here in Okeechobee. Once we know how many are spoken for, we’ll post the time and pickup location.

Thank you for supporting Ricky’s Ranch! ❤️🐴

09/01/2026

Everyone here at Ricky’s Ranch is absolutely devastated at the senseless murder of HeeHaw. 

There is absolutely no reason to have shot and killed this beautiful miniature donkey that was hand raised, and bottle fed. 

Law enforcement was on private property unannounced searching for a missing person when HeeHaw started braying and running towards the Officer.

It’s quite obvious that this was not an attacking dog. Or a bear, or any other dangerous animal. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HWsPBJTq3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Beloved Donkey HeeHaw Shot and Killed During Overnight Police Search in Polk County

Polk County, GA:

A beloved miniature donkey named HeeHaw was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer early Sunday morning during an overnight search for a missing person, prompting an investigation and calls for answers from his family.

According to the family and Elsberry Riding and Farm, officers entered a pasture at approximately 12:45 a.m. while searching the property. The family says they did not give officers permission to enter the pasture.

The family identified the donkey as HeeHaw, a bottle raised animal who had been raised around people and was described as a beloved member of the family. He had also participated in petting zoos and interacted with children and members of the public.

According to the family’s account, HeeHaw approached the officers while braying. The family says officers told them the donkey was running toward them and that they believed they were in danger. The family further alleges that officers attempted to use a Taser before an officer shot and killed HeeHaw.

Those details have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly released a detailed account of the encounter.

The Cedartown Police Department has confirmed that an officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated. Police Chief Jamie Newsome said command staff opened an investigation into the shooting.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also clarified that its deputies were not involved. According to the sheriff’s office, officers from the Polk County Police Department and Cedartown Police Department were involved in the incident.

Officials have not identified the officer who fired the fatal shot or publicly explained what circumstances led to the use of deadly force against HeeHaw.

The shooting has generated significant public reaction online, with many people expressing sympathy for HeeHaw’s family and questioning why the encounter ended with the animal’s death.

HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, has described the donkey as much more than a farm animal.

“He was my SON,” Israel wrote in a public post.

Israel has said she intends to pursue legal action and is seeking answers about what happened during the encounter.

A fundraiser has also been established to help the family with legal expenses related to the incident.

For now, the circumstances surrounding HeeHaw’s death remain under investigation.

Eye on Cherokee will continue to follow the investigation as additional information becomes available.

07/06/2026

Julia, Junior, and Cookie cooling off on hot Okeechobee day.

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

Edit: Sadly we no longer have Fancy. She is now with another rescue who will also give her the best care that they can give. Thank to all who has shared and donated to help with Fancy in the short time that we at Ricky’s Ranch had her.

🚨 Urgent Rescue Update from Ricky’s Ranch 🚨

This morning, June 16, 2026, Ricky’s Ranch Horse, Donkey, and Wild Mustang Sanctuary received a call from a concerned citizen about an abandoned horse standing along the highway in the Fort Drum area.

One of our volunteers responded and was able to safely catch the horse. Because Callie and I are both working our routes in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach area today, another volunteer is using our truck and horse trailer to transport the horse to safety.

The horse is obviously underweight and in poor condition. As soon as it arrives, we will be arranging a veterinary evaluation to determine its immediate medical needs and begin its recovery.

Like many Florida nonprofits, we’re currently experiencing our annual summer slowdown in donations while the costs of feed, hay, veterinary care, and supplies continue every day.

We are asking for your help. Any amount, no matter how small, will go directly toward veterinary expenses, medications if needed, and the extra feed and hay required to help this horse regain its health.

If you’re able to contribute, please help us give this sweet abandoned horse the care and second chance it deserves.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for supporting animal rescues and sanctuaries.

Ricky’s Ranch, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Ricky’s Ranch, Inc.
Okeechobee, Florida

https://givebutter.com/roadsiderescue

06/07/2026

Julia and Junior loving the cool water on a warm June day. #