Rescue mission

By CANDACE CHASE/Daily Inter Lake

Marion ranch becomes animal orphanage with 'Granny Kate' at the helm

All Mosta Ranch Montana, a rescue and adoption center for animals in Marion, was almost history in November.

But an unsolicited check arrived just as Kate Borton and her husband had lost hope.

"I cried and my husband cried," she said. "I called two of my moms who foster my animals and they cried."

Thanks to a foundation grant, their little ranch full of other people's unwanted critters has hay until at least next July. On a little more than six acres, Borton feeds, trains and loves a menagerie that includes dogs, cats, horses, goats, geese, chickens, lambs, llamas and an orphan Charolais calf named Butter.

"She was a throwaway calf - her mom died and they didn't find her for 10 days," Borton said.

It wasn't the first time that Borton, known as "Granny Kate," bottle-fed a forlorn four-legged farm animal. She got started mothering abused and neglected critters more than a decade ago as a way to nurture herself after a fall from a ladder.

The accident left her with a head injury resulting in memory problems and depression.

"I was having a bad time when my husband took me to a farm auction," she recalled. "I have always loved animals so we were going to get a couple of babies I would have responsibility for. That was my therapy."

Borton took home a starving pig and two newborn baby goats that were covered with maggots. She nursed them back to health as well as many more when they relocated from Fresno, Calif., to their former location in Columbia Falls.

"Word got out that if you have a sick baby, take it to Granny Kate," she said with a smile. "After we'd been here (Montana) a year, it got out of hand. I couldn't turn anyone away."

Borton makes clear to everyone that the ranch believes "in the cycle of life" but even more important "quality of life." By that, she means that livestock and fowl live well but may eventually go to slaughter for donation to the food bank unless a special arrangement is made.

"I had one little girl who couldn't bear to slaughter her 4-H lamb," she said.

The girl's beloved lamb lived out her life at All Mosta Ranch Montana, acting as goodwill ambassador at petting zoos and with visitors at the ranch.

Since 1998, Borton has encouraged guests to visit her animals in support of her mission of rescuing and finding homes for abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

"We reach children through animals," she said. "If children learn compassion, understanding and caring for animals, they take that into the world."

Borton also wants to convince human parents to learn about animals' physical and emotional needs before they adopt an animal for their children. Too many act impulsively, taking home a cute, fuzzy animal without thought of long-term consequences.

Along with not thinking of space and financial requirements, they also don't consider time investments. As an example, Borton said owners must constantly interact with llamas or they soon return to their wild instincts. Horses often need special training.

"Domestic animals are a lifetime commitment," she said. "An animal is not an accessory. They are totally dependent on humans for their sustenance."

Borton spends time rehabilitating and socializing abused and neglected animals to make them better adoption prospects. She operates the facility in compliance with Humane Society guidelines.

Borton and her husband lead by example. When they lost the lease on their land in Columbia Falls, the couple bought a place in Plains and moved their 75 to 100 rescued animals, plus an unexpected new herd.

"We were in the middle of moving from Columbia Falls to Plains when we found eight llamas in our pasture," she said.

Granny Kate didn't call the sheriff or animal control. She loaded the new orphans into the caravan then used them in Plains to teach 4-H youngsters how to pack and care for llamas as she searched for new homes for the herd.

"I've just got one of those left," she said.

The coupled moved to Marion about a year ago to shorten her husband's commute to his work as a journeyman electrician, transporting all their animals to a new home. Their creature clan ranged from chickens and cats to Baldy, a gentle giant Clydesdale with hooves the size of frying pans.

"That's short for Baldizar," Borton said as the horse nuzzled her for a treat.

Located off Lower Lost Prairie Road, the new All Mosta Ranch Montana was farther out then they had hoped but not so far as to discourage visitors.

"From late April through October, we had visitors every week," Borton said.

Since 2003, the Bortons have operated the ranch as a 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue and educational center, which means supporters may deduct contributions from their taxes. She said they receive small donations from a few visitors or those who adopt or leave animals.

"Our motto is 'pennies from heaven sustain us,'" she said.

To pay bills, Borton spends hours in her office writing letters, applying for grants or seeking donations from businesses. She has gotten a few grants but most of their support, outside of their personal contributions, comes from individuals.

She said people can donate money, hay, grain or other needed materials.

"Grain is the big issue now," she said.

At times, Borton puts in low-cost classified ads telling the public what the ranch most desperately needs. Veterinary care is another constant need, particularly for the elderly animals.

"Now, mostly because of the economy, people want their money up front," she said.

The last year was the most difficult yet for their operation. Borton's husband now travels to Missoula each week to work as an electrician while she takes care of the ranch.

With people losing their jobs and homes, the calls for help reached a crisis state this fall. Borton said that she received calls every week in October and November asking if she had hay for their horses and goats or if she could take their animals.

"These were heartfelt conversations with tears," she said. "But we could not take them in. I didn't know how we could feed them."

As cries for help climbed, donations tanked and prices for hay and grain skyrocketed. She and her husband put in $8,000 to $10,000 of their own money each year but need to raise at least 60 percent from private donations to maintain their nonprofit status.

When she received 12 calls in one week, she wrote a letter to the editor of the Inter Lake pleading with the community to donate to local shelters and rescue operations by foregoing a cup of coffee and sending even a dollar a month.

"An animal doesn't see tomorrow or hope, only confusion, hunger and sadness at being displaced, at the loss of their family," Borton wrote. "Our heart breaks when we have to turn a family away looking for a safe place for their beloved pet because, we, too, are facing the financial crisis."

In November, she and her husband remained critically short of dollars. The couple sadly resolved that they could no longer continue and maintained only about 30 'sanctuary animals," those with poor to no adoption prospects.

But then, a Christmas miracle came early with a check from a private foundation that hadn't responded to her applications in recent years. She hadn't even submitted an application this year.

Hope bloomed as winter settled over the little ranch.

"It's hard right now but I know things will improve," Borton said. "This ranch is meant to be -Êotherwise it would have closed in December."

She may even take in a few more animals such as horses or goats, excluding intact males. Her largest frustration remains that she can't do more for the animals who pay her back by feeding her soul.

"I take care of them but I think they also take care of me," she said.

To learn more about the ranch, visit the Web site at allmostaranch.org or call her at 270-7513. People interested in donating may do so on the Web site or send a check to All Mosta Ranch Montana, P.O. Box 937 Marion, Montana 59925.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.