Non-profit Horse & Animal Rescue
EIN: 83-2720048
Desert Oasis Rescue is a non-profit horse and animal rescue committed to giving ex-racehorses an after-racetrack life by finding their future home or giving them a place to retire with dignity and love. Desert Oasis Rescue has helped hundreds of horses find new homes or retirement solutions.
OUR STORY
Rhonda—those that know her call her Cass—moved to the property now called Desert Oasis Rescue 34 years ago with her family. Cass grew up on her family’s ranch in Texas and worked in Quarter Horse racing and owned a breaking, training, foaling, layup, rehab and boarding stable with her husband before moving to Arizona. Once in this location they built the property, which would become Desert Oasis Rescue, with a 10-stall barn, runs, turnouts, a walker, hay shed, fencing and an arena.
Her two daughters Jamie and Brandi were riding before they were born people say, since Cass rode daily while pregnant with them. They were obsessed horse girls and got heavily involved in hunter jumpers. Cass traveled the country with them competing, picking up multiple circuit champions at the Indio Winter Circuit, state championships, Olympic Festival gold medal, Grand Prix wins and medals in international young riders competitions in multiple continents.
Brandi began working at the track, galloped for seven years at top tracks across the country, attended the Race Track Industry Program, worked in Bloodstock and managed a small racing stable. During this time Cass’ passion for taking horses off the track progressed into a mission. The once showjumper private stable morphed into DOR, filled with horses from the track needing homes to different types of animal abuse and neglect cases and the property brimmed to up to 50 horses at a time.
Cass’ knack for networking, equine care and being able to match a horse with the right home has been proven time and time again. The passion became a nonprofit in 2018. Since that time Cass has taken in hundreds of horses. Each local horse show you visit you can bet you’ll see at least a handful of healthy happy DOR graduates there doing their jobs for their owners because Cass made it possible.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible work done by Cass Dewey at Desert Oasis Rescue. Her unwavering dedication and compassion towards OTTB horses have touched my heart deeply. As an animal lover and a third year veterinary student at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine specializing in Equine Sports Medicine I can attest to the care and welfare of these magnificent creatures, witnessing the positive impact this rescue has made. From the moment I first stepped foot onto their grounds, it was evident that this organization is a sanctuary for horses that have faced unimaginable challenges. Cass Dewey showed me the true meaning of love and rehabilitation. Each horse is treated with the utmost respect and individualized care, tailored to their unique needs.
I rescued my now horse from Desert Oasis Rescue as a 2.5 year old. He came to Cass with very little training and ground work. My experience is with upper level jumpers and Olympic level horses, so taking on a young horse was not too daunting of a task. I spoke with Cass about what my expectations were and what I was looking for. She told me about all the horses she had available, and how she thought my horse would be a good fit. I gladly accepted the invitation to come out and see him. After a couple of visits Cass offered a lease offer for a few months to trial out this youngster.
Long story short, it was a perfect fit. I officially adopted “Helios” or Bucks Merit and he is now a 4 year old. I could not recommend working with Cass or Desert Oasis any more than I have.
KGUN 9 FEATURE STORY