Building a Safe Haven: Sweet Mercies Rescue Ranch Launches Campaign for Annie’s Place

Nestled in the rolling hills Glen Rose, Texas just south of Fort Worth, there is a sanctuary devoted to healing both animals and people. Sweet Mercies Rescue Ranch has been a peaceful habitation for horses, donkeys, mules, zonkeys, camels, kangaroos, emus, dogs, cats, and more since its official launch in 2022. Now they are growing their mission, expanding to become a refuge and safe haven for people who have endured trauma, battled illness, and walked through life’s hardest seasons.

For the rescue’s Founder, Mariah Joseph, serving both animals and individuals is more than a passion, it’s a calling. Having experienced trauma in her own childhood, she discovered comfort in the simplest of places: her mother’s minivan. It became a safe haven, where she and her sisters could laugh, talk, and just breathe.

“I grew up in a very cold, anxiety filled house. Our stepdad was a very angry, controlling man. When he would go into his rages of anger, my mom would bring us with while she did her shifts at the nursing home. My siblings and I would spend hours in the minivan while my mom worked. Although it may seem sad, the time spent here was actually the highlight of our days. We could laugh loudly, talk and joke, and truly just breathe. That minivan was our safe haven.”, said Mariah.

Sweet Mercies Rescue Ranch has launched a campaign to bring Mariah’s vision to life: the opening of Annie’s Place. Named in honor of her mother, Annie, this refuge is designed to be a quiet haven where families can experience rest, renewal, and peace. Guests will be invited to spend time with the animals and soak in the beauty of nature, while finding space to slow down, reconnect, and heal.

“Feeling lots of emotions, putting this dream into action and announcing the growth we hope to have in 2026. I am ready to dive deeper into helping people heal with the help of our animals. Annie’s Place will be a cabin where families can come stay and take a break from their troubles, surrounded by animals and nature. I hope to provide families with peace, rest and happiness in this cabin. The same way I felt safe and comfortable in our minivan.

Although I’m still figuring out the logistics, right now we plan to offer Annie’s Place to our Online Family as well, as a place to rent out to experience our rescue firsthand.

My dream is that through families staying here we’ll be able to offset some of our biggest monthly costs like feed, hay and vet bills for the animals. Right now, my idea is to offer the cabin available to rent daily half the month, and the other half offer the cabin free to folks needing a peaceful pick me up. We will welcome veterans, disabled, PTSD / trauma survivors, those with health struggles, and truly anyone just needing the experience.”, said Mariah.

The estimated cost to build Annie’s Place is approximately $40,000. With donations already beginning to come in, Sweet Mercies Rescue Ranch is faithfully working toward opening Annie’s Place either this year or next year.

If you would like to get involved and help fund Annie’s Place, you can view their fundraising campaign on their website at www.sweetmerciesrescueranch.org/annies-place.

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This article is from the March 2026 issue of Equine Business Magazine