After a long and punishing winter, Ralphy’s Retreat in Wyebridge is inching closer to completion of its long‑awaited animal hospice — but the final stretch is proving to be the most challenging.
The not‑for‑profit farm animal sanctuary, home to 108 rescued animals, has been working on the specialized hospice space for months. The goal: a warm, safe, climate‑controlled haven for senior and special‑needs animals who require extra care during extreme weather.
But despite steady progress, construction has moved “slower than we had anticipated,” said manager Shannon Leguizamon. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel now, and we just need to get some finishing things done inside the hospice so that we can move more animals in.”
A few animals have already been relocated to the new space, but Leguizamon says fully opening the hospice depends on skilled community support.
Calling all builders, carpenters, and handy community members
Ralphy’s Retreat has put out a very specific call for help.
“We’re looking for people that are handy with tools, people with builder skills, anyone that’s involved in construction, carpenters,” Leguizamon explained. “We need to get some plywood up on the ceiling. We need to get Trescor on the walls so that we can wash them, get some doors on and framed.”
These tasks, she says, are essential to making the hospice safe, durable, and easy to clean — all critical for the elderly and medically fragile animals who will live there.
Community Work Day set for Sunday
To speed up the final phase, the sanctuary is hosting a Community Work Day this Sunday. Volunteers with construction skills are especially encouraged to come, but the day isn’t limited to tradespeople.
“If people aren’t handy with tools, we’d love to invite people to come with shovels,” Leguizamon noted. “We have been working diligently throughout the winter to make pathways and keep doors clear, but we still could use some assistance with that and cleaning out our animal pens.”
Children under 16 are welcome to help with outdoor tasks, but must be accompanied by an adult.
The sanctuary is asking anyone interested to email ahead and share what skills they can bring. The address can be found on the Ralphie’s Retreat website.
A rough winter for residents — and why the hospice matters
Like many farmers and sanctuary operators across Simcoe County, Leguizamon says this winter has been unusually difficult.
“It has been a difficult winter. We’ve had some struggles,” she said. “They’re getting a little bit stir crazy…we are definitely looking forward to spring.”
Listen below to our full interview with Shannon. It begins at the 36:13 mark.
The need for a dedicated hospice space has never felt clearer.
“About 60 percent of our animals here are either aged or have some form of special need,” said Leguizamon. With harsher winters and extreme summer heat becoming more common, the sanctuary has been working to ensure its most vulnerable residents have somewhere warm in winter, cool in summer, and protected year‑round.
“The hospice has been a dream,” she said. “It’s going to be heated and air-conditioned and provide that necessary space that we need for these animals.”
A volunteer‑run sanctuary relying on community support
Ralphy’s Retreat operates entirely through volunteers, fundraising, and monthly sponsorships. Every hour of labour and every donated material helps.
“We appreciate any help or support that we can get,” Leguizamon said. “Any help or support we can get from the community is greatly appreciated.”
