About Us | Berchert Ranch Animal Rescue, Colorado Horse Shelter

The Berchert Ranch Animal Rescue, Inc. is a 200 acre conservation easement located just north of Buena Vista, Colorado. The ranch looks west to the majestic Continental Divide with scenic views in every direction. We are a 120 year old historic ranch blessed with abundant wildlife, pastures, pinon tree forests, and the Arkansas River running through it. The Berchert family has owned the ranch since 1964 and have had a steady stream of abandoned and abused animals make it their home. Mildred Berchert was one of the founding members of the Arkansas Valley Humane Society.

We not only want to restore these animals physically, but mentally as well. They need a second chance to enjoy life, to trust, and to love and be loved. It is hard work, cold/long winters and hot/dry summers, endless repairs and chores seven days a week. All that said we are privileged with such natural resources of the ranch and feel it our duty to share this with these forgotten animals. The work is hard but it is also emotionally difficult to see these desperate animals and the hardness that life has brought to them due to no fault of their own. You can see and feel that pain in their eyes.

Let us all work together restoring these lives, to educate humans and mostly the children to respect and love animals and nature. This is achievable. The positive actions we take will be more than paid back by the animals that have learned to love life again and to see that sparkle in their eyes.

Mission Statement

The Berchert Ranch Animal Rescue, Inc. is organized exclusively for prevention of cruelty to animals under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code. We are committed to raising funds to support and restore dignity to the lives of the animals under our care. Our organization is a no kill rescue striving to improve the relationships and understanding between humans and animals. We want people to appreciate what a gift humans and animals can be to one another. It is our goal that our animals will never again know the abuse, neglect, abandonment, and other physical or mental injury that brought them to our facilities.