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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

Red Bell Run

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Home to The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run, a Special Needs Equine Sanctuary. They come here in need. We fulfill as many of those needs as we can.

The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run is home to special needs equines, those with medical or behavioral issues that make them unadoptable. Many times our residents are able to have a good quality of life with managed care; care that other organizations may not be able to provide due to staffing or financial restrictions. We strive to give each horse, mule, or donkey we care for the things that they lacked before coming to Red Bell Run. We do a lot of things here but at the Sanctuary, the most important thing we do is simply love them. OUR MISSION:
To rescue abused, neglected or at risk equines and other animals, offering rehabilitation and permanent placement including lifelong sanctuary. Foster the animal-human bond through empathy building, community assistance, educational and therapeutic programs.

10/31/2026

April has her hat on and her ears out, ready to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! 🎃

Whether you’re heading out for treats or staying cozy in the barn, have fun, stay safe, and look out for one another- including our four-legged friends. 🧡

10/30/2026

Happy belated National Cat Day to our barn cat crew (and our two barn cat program dropouts who decided office life was more their style)! 🐾

Every one of our cats came from local shelters, where they had been long-term residents and were struggling with the stress of shelter life. Here, they’ve had the time and space to settle in and their personalities have blossomed.

Today, they’re healthy, friendly, and sometimes even willing to help welcome a tour! Our barn crew provides excellent natural pest control, with plenty of well-earned naps between shifts. Our two office residents have chosen a different career path, and we respect their decision. ❤️

We’re so glad they found their place here. Our barns (and office) wouldn’t be the same without them.

10/29/2026

Yesterday, we shared the heartbreaking news that we must cancel our biggest fundraiser of the year because of pigeon fever. These two sweet faces are a reminder of why protecting our herd comes first.

Despite its name, pigeon fever is a bacterial infection- not an illness caused by pigeons. It can spread through flies, contaminated soil, and fomites—shared items such as grooming tools, equipment, clothing, or footwear that carry the bacteria. The bacteria enter through small breaks in the skin and can cause painful abscesses and, in some cases, serious internal infection.

For a herd that includes horses and donkeys with compromised immune systems and metabolic conditions, there is more to protect. Some have less ability to fight infection, while illness and stress can complicate the careful management their metabolic health already requires. We have to take those added vulnerabilities seriously.

To everyone who has offered financial support or reached out to ask what supplies the herd needs: thank you. Your thoughtfulness and generosity mean so much, especially when our fundraising plans have had to change.

One especially helpful item right now is Equi-Spot (a two-week fly repellent). Donations would help us maintain the fly control that is such an important part of protecting the herd. You'll find a link for Equi-Spot and financial contributions in the comments.

Thank you for loving these equines through the joyful days and the difficult ones. Their world is safer because you’re part of it. ❤️

10/28/2026

To our Community, Sponsors, Vendors, and Race Participants:

Unfortunately, due to a confirmed local outbreak of Pigeon Fever less than five minutes from the Sanctuary, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all public events and tours at the Sanctuary for the next two weeks and possibly longer depending on progression of the disease in the area. Sadly, this includes our major fundraiser for the year, the Boo & Bray Fun Run.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of the Boo & Bray Fun Run. Your commitment to our mission and the equines in our care means the world to us. I cannot express my appreciation enough for our volunteers and staff who worked so hard preparing this event, and for those who supported us through a sponsorship, vendor or registration fee.

While this outbreak is currently confined to a small cluster of nearby farms, we simply can’t risk exposing our herd of special-needs equines. Pigeon Fever is spread by flies and fomites (on tires, shoes and clothing) and typically carries a low mortality rate when properly diagnosed and treated; however, many of our residents are immuno-compromised, which significantly increases their risk. Following detailed discussions with our veterinarian, we are taking immediate biosecurity measures—including heightened fly control and disinfectant foot baths at every barn—to ensure we do everything possible to protect our herd.

We have personally reached out to each sponsor, vendor and race participant. We are so very grateful that many of you have decided to support the Sanctuary by converting your sponsorship or registration fee to a tax-deductible donation that supports our equines during this challenging time. We know you didn’t have to, and we know that many of you had made plans around this event and are as disappointed as we are. We thank everyone for understanding that the health of our equines must come first, and hope to see you at the Sanctuary in the future.

If you have any questions or need further details, please do not hesitate to reach out by calling our office at 828-863-2017 or emailing [email protected].

Warmly,
Mary P. Adams

10/26/2026

Larry has his own ideas about posing for photos! Sending a little silliness from Red Bell Run your way today. ❤️

10/25/2026

“Rescued and loved.” Butterscotch wears those words beautifully. ❤️

Rescue is only the beginning. The care continues every day, with full bellies, safe shelter, veterinary care, and time to feel secure. Supporting the sanctuary helps make that ongoing care possible for animals like Butterscotch. Every animal deserves more than a second chance- they deserve a life filled with kindness.

Please join us for our Boo and Bray Fun Run and Vendor Market to support the sanctuary! We’re just ONE WEEK away, and we’d love to see you there. 🎃🫏

VENDOR SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! Comment below or send us a message!

For more info or to register click here: https://redbellrun.org/event/boo-bray-5k-vendor-market/

10/24/2026

Pedro and Pequito never miss a chance to play, and this poor chicken has lost its head AND tailfeathers in the process!

Extra-large rubber chickens are officially on their wish list. 🐔

10/23/2026

“Come on, Poppy—we’ve got a fun run to get to!” 🫏😂

April is doing her part to round up participants for our **Boo & Bray Fun Run and Vendor Market on November 1st!** Follow her lead and sign up for an afternoon of Halloween fun supporting the rescued equines at Red Bell Run. 🎃❤️

🕐 Registration opens at 1:00 p.m.
🏃 Race starts at 2:30 p.m.
👻 Costume contest
🏰 Bounce house, face painting and fairy hair for the kids!
🍴 Lunch available for purchase

VENDOR SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! Comment below or send us a message!

Grab a friend, pick your costumes, and come run off that Halloween candy! **It’s not too late to register and every sign-up helps support the sanctuary.**

Registration link: https://redbellrun.org/event/boo-bray-5k-vendor-market/

10/22/2026

These guys heard you might be free on November 1st… and they’re all ears! 🫏👂

Calling all crafters, makers, and vendors! We still have room for more vendors at our Boo & Bray Fun Run at Red Bell Run on November 1st, and we’d love to have you join us! Set up will begin at noon.

Vendors will be set up in our arena—a great place to share your creations while enjoying an afternoon of fun in support of the sanctuary.

Interested in a vendor spot? Send us a message for details! Know a small business owner? Tag them below or share this post to help us spread the word.

10/21/2026

One of the perks of night check? Catching sweet moments like this with our mustang, Zaquita. ❤️

Did you know horses only need a small amount of deep sleep each day, and they must lie down to get it? As prey animals, horses are naturally vulnerable when resting on the ground, so they are more likely to lie down when they feel safe and secure in their surroundings.

Seeing Zaquita resting so peacefully is a beautiful reminder of what sanctuary is all about- a place where horses can finally let their guard down. ❤️

Address

385 Blackwood Road
Columbus, NC
28722

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(828) 863-2017

Website

http://www.redbellrun.org/

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