SCCR Newsletter, Issue #37 - December 2025

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Luke & Monty

12 Days of Giving Winter Auction

If you’re reading this, you probably follow SCCR on Facebook or Instagram, which means you already know that our 12 Days of Giving Online Auction starts RIGHT NOW — December 1st!

These 12 days are incredibly important, as this is our biggest fundraiser of the entire year. And there are some truly amazing deals to be had! Bidders often pay well below market value for goods and experiences they’d choose anyway.

We have a huge variety of donated goodies up for grabs, including gondola rides, spa days, and cozy 2-night hotel and yurt stays. Perfect gifts for that special someone, even if that someone is you.

Please spread the word far and wide — and don’t forget to place your own bids!

And coming up on December 4th is Giving Tuesday — the day we all ease the guilt from Black Friday overspending by giving back to our favourite charities. If you know anyone who might want to support SCCR, please remind them that we are a registered charity, which means they’ll receive a tax receipt along with our deepest gratitude.

Ranch News

With all our adopted horses who left the Ranch in October now settled into their new homes and finding their rhythm, we were treated to an unexpected and heart-warming surprise in November—our little Mickey found his forever family.

Susan Brown, who adopted the beautiful Denali from SCCR in 2021, has always shared a special bond with Mickey. She fell in love with him back in 2022 when he arrived from an Alberta auction alongside his two mini friends. This fall, Sue felt the timing was finally right and submitted an adoption application to welcome mighty Mickey into her life.

We are deeply grateful to Sue for once again opening her heart and giving Mickey the loving home he deserves.

Behind the scenes: many people don’t realize that SCCR receives, on average, two to three calls or emails every month about horses needing rehoming due to a wide range of circumstances.

In November alone, two beautiful mares from separate owners—one on Salt Spring Island and the other near Parksville on Vancouver Island—found a wonderful home with an incredible family who was thrilled to welcome them both.

Finding homes for surrendered horses before they come to the Ranch is always preferred, as it spares them the stress of relocating multiple times. Otherwise, both would have been brought to SCCR, where they could decompress, settle into their new surroundings, and be loved on by our amazing volunteers while we searched for their perfect home. Not such a bad option either—but these two lucky mares were able to skip a huge step and move directly into a safe, permanent home.

Sadly, not every story ends the way we hope. Another healthy 14-year-old mare was euthanized by her owner before the barn manager and I had the opportunity to speak with her about surrendering the horse to SCCR. It was a heartbreaking day for everyone involved. Even without having met the mare, being part of the effort to gather her history and offer support made the loss deeply felt.

Supporting these cases requires an incredible amount of teamwork. We rely on compassionate, like-minded horse people in each horse’s local area, along with partner rescue organizations, who may help by assessing horses on our behalf, taking photos, and coordinating transportation logistics. This collaboration ensures that horses in need receive the best chance possible—even when the outcome is sometimes beyond our control.

On a lighter note, our Line Dancing event, hosted by the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG), was a sold-out, boot-stomping success thanks to the incredible Sharon Stone—the phenomenal instructor who not only shared her talent with everyone but also celebrated her birthday that very same day. In an extraordinary act of generosity, Sharon donated all proceeds from the evening to SCCR. A huge thank-you to Sharon and to the BAG for your amazing support.

From our family to yours, have a safe and Happy Holidays and don’t forget to bid on our online auction for some great gift ideas!!!

~ Kris

All I Want For Christmas

Dear Santa,

It’s me, Paisley. I’ve been tryin’ my very best to stay strong this year. I won’t lie… my heart ached something fierce when my young daughter, Prada, left for her new family. I was proud, of course, but goodness, Santa, our paddock felt awfully quiet without her. If it weren’t for the wonderful gals who groom me and take me for walks, I don’t know how I’d have gotten through those first few weeks. On the days when my old leg injury flares up and every step feels heavy, they slow right down, give me extra brushes, and whisper sweet things to me. That kindness… it’s kept me going.

I stay gentle, I stay patient, and I take my meds like a lady — even though they aren’t cheap for SCCR.

Santa, I do have one Christmas wish.

Because of my permanent knee injury, my daily medication is what keeps me comfortable. Without it, the stiffness creeps in, the pain returns, and getting around becomes much harder. Those pills help me walk with the girls, lift my head with a bit of pride, and enjoy the small joys of my day.

All I want for Christmas is a little help with my daily Previcox medication so I can stay feeling my best all year long. If any of your little helpers feel moved to lend a hoof, they can find me right here at SCCR.

It would mean the world to me. If you can help, click here.

With love,
Paisley

Dear Santa

Oi, Sir Santa,

It’s me — Spud.
Yeah, that Spud. The old fella ’round the Ranch who’s still got plenty of spark, even if me body’s fallin’ apart like an old barrow wheel left out in the rain.

So here’s the deal, mate: I’m pushin’ 27 now, and when the vet popped by last time, they counted me teeth — all 10 of ’em. Ten! Honestly, Santa, I’ve seen more teeth on a worn-out curry comb. Might as well be gnawin’ me dinner with me gums these days. Lucky for me, Kris fixes up these posh mashes twice a day so I can keep me figure lookin’ somewhat presentable. (Can’t be lettin’ the ladies think I’ve completely gone to seed, eh?)

And just to keep life interestin’, I’ve also got a stage 5 heart murmur, advanced arthritis in my left foot and breathing problems — proper dramatic stuff. I’m meant to “take it easy,” whatever that means. Try tellin’ that to the young ones in our house. Little chaos gremlins drag me all over the ranch like I’m some washed-up footie coach they’re tryin’ to impress. I do me best to keep up, but blimey, they move like they’ve got rockets strapped to their hooves.

So I thought, “Oi, Spud—you’d better write to the big jolly geezer himself.”

Sir Santa, reckon you could toss an extra bag or two of me special grain onto the sleigh this year? Maybe a bottle of Previcox too? Or maybe one of your lovely helpers might fancy helpin’ me out each month? This old ticker, wheezy lungs, gimpy leg and me pathetic excuse for teeth could use all the support they can get. These smart humans have set something up on the web and say you can click here!

Right then, Santa. Loads of love and a big ol’ head-butt of affection,

Spud

New Sponsors - Jenny says Thank You!

Anne Archer - Jenny

Caden Baker - Dancer

Deirdre McNeill - Louise 

Ella  - Lil Joe

Liz Kowalczyk - Jenny 

Lois Cudmore - Jenny

Mary Ann C - Midnight 

Marlow  - Lil Joe

Nicola Killeen – Lil Joe

Sophie Baker - Dancer

Stacey McAllister – Jimmy

Just For Fun

For information about sponsoring a horse or to make a one-time donation click here or email sccrsponsorahorse@gmail.com

To help the rescue:

• Donate here to contribute towards saving these incredible animals.

• Learn more about the fate of horses who are not rescued, and how to advocate.

• Book a tour to learn more about the ranch and meet some of the horses who have been saved.

• Volunteer at the ranch. No horse experience necessary.