Sharing their space with a menagerie is a way of life embraced by Patty and Peter I’Ons every day, writes Cate Clarke.
The Assagay couple’s 52-acre farm has become a loving home to 35 horses, 30 dogs, eight cats, seven donkeys and a goat.
“They’re here because they’ve been neglected, abandoned or abused,” says Patty, who has dedicated her time and energy to animal cruelty issues for years.
An unexpected inheritance in 2001 presented her and Peter with an opportunity to realise a lifelong dream: to provide a permanent sanctuary for desperate animals.
“We bought the property and came up with the perfect name, Out Of The Blue.”
One of the first residents was Mary the donkey, who was found entangled in a barbed wire fence, in a very neglected and traumatised state. “But she’s blossomed since coming here,” says Patty. “She’s developed a very strong bond with my husband and spends most of her days in his office.”
Feeling a presence behind me, I peer over my shoulder to see another guest has joined us and the dogs and cats around the dining room table. “This is the magnificent Sir Lancelot,” says Peter introducing the lofty 18-hand horse who happily nuzzles his way into the conversation. “A gentle giant who’s great with children.”
Another much revered equine favourite spending his well earned retirement at the haven is Fagin, a 43-year-old Friesian. Records show that Fagin was in active service for the South African police in Pretoria in 1969. The “Old Man”, as he is affectionately known, is very much still the Officer in Command of the stable yard and can be found diligently patrolling inside the stables at night.
There’s no denying the contentment and serenity at this sanctuary. “The horses are in a herd, as nature intended them to be,” Patty explains. “No boots, no hats, no blankets, no fencing. They gallop across the hills and swim in the dams. What more could you ask for when looking out of your bedroom window every morning?”
The I’Ons are full of praise for their staff and volunteers who muck in daily to feed, groom, exercise and rehabilitate their charges. “They’re all very committed to making sure our animals spend the rest of their natural lives being treated with the respect and love they deserve.”
A registered non-profit organisation, Out Of The Blue relies purely on charity donations to nurture helpless animals back to health. “As you can imagine, keeping up with the farm’s running costs is no easy task,” says Roz Homewood, fundraiser for the animal trust. “It generates an income by offering supervised holiday camp days for children, stabling facilities and riding lessons, but this doesn’t cover all the bills.”
With this stark reminder of how balancing the books is a daily challenge for the dedicated team at Out Of The Blue, they say goodbye with a few words of inspiration and hope.
“Visit this special place. Be part of our vision for the future by protecting and caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Telephone Roz Homewood on 031 768 1768
or Patty I’Ons at 082 655 1700, or visit www.outofthebluerescue.co.za