A forever home for all animals who have been abused, neglected, or forced to feel unloved.
TYLER LINN
Co-Founder
Tyler is one of the co-founders of Lazy J Rescue Ranch, Tyler is the grandson of longtime Humboldt, Iowa Veterinarian, Doc Linn, which gave him a love for caring for animals, especially the ones who had been dealt crappy cards in life. Tyler also goes by head animal caretaker, chore master, grounds keeper, lead mechanic, and jack of all trades.
HALEY FITZPATRICK
Co-Founder
Haley is one of the co-founders of Lazy J Rescue Ranch. Haley grew up loving animals and after moving to the country with land for animals to roam and buildings to keep them safe, it was obvious that this was the perfect start to a sanctuary for animals. Haley also goes by head animal cuddler, animal spa master, event planner, lead organizer of all things, and boss lady.
BATMAN
Batman is a KuneKune pig who came to the ranch in April 2024. He was found along with another pig, Penguin, on a newly purchased property where the new owners quickly recognized their poor condition and reached out to us. Their tusks (bottom teeth) had grown so long that they curled back and caused deep, infected sores on their cheeks from rubbing every time they opened their mouths. To say their hooves needed trimmed was an understatement. The length was causing them to adjust the way they walk and potentially the way their joints function. They are extremely overweight which has only made it more difficult for them to get around and has even caused blindness and deafness. Mechanical or fat blindness is when a pig gains so much weight that the fat on their face actually rolls down over their eyes. These rolls can also obstruct their ears by pushing them forward, down, and blocking them. Their tusks and hooves have been trimmed, their pain is under control, their infected wounds have been cleaned out and cleared up with antibiotics, and now we're just working on getting their weight down to a normal level to clear up some of those secondary issues. Batman isn't overly friendly or a huge fan of us yet, but we have no doubt that once we get him feeling healthier and more active, his true personality will come out! But for now, he enjoys hanging out with his brother, napping out in the pasture, and grumbling when we try to hang out with him!
BERNIE
Bernie is a long-haired, mixed breed goat who arrived at the ranch in December of 2021 when he was almost 2 years old along with 7 other rescues who were lice and mite infested and in need of vet care. Bernie was your typical “Billy Goat”, bossy, smelly, and confident, but since being fixed, his true personality is coming out. He is very curious, really wants to love humans, and enjoys cuddling with his rescue buddy Russell. Bernie was rescued along with 15 other animals from a couple that was attempting to breed/sell goats and have a few pets of their own. They ran into some financial issues, abruptly lost their house, and were contemplating selling the animals for meat or abandoning them. Thankfully they reached out to local rescues and sanctuaries instead. Along with Peace Creek Animal Rescue & Sanctuary and Betsy’s Barn Pig Rescue, we were able to work together to save all but 1 of the animals who unfortunately was very ill due to years of neglect. Our vet confirmed that even with adequate vet care, she would have faced a very poor quality of life, so it was best for her to be humanely euthanized.
BUTTER
Butter is a Pygmy Nigerian Dwarf goat who came to the ranch at a young age in March of 2020 from a goat breeder when his sister sold but no one wanted him. Goats bond hard and deep and this little guy got very depressed without his sister. Since goats can actually die of a broken heart, his former home was worried about how much he had changed and wasn't acting himself, so they surrendered him to the ranch. This was perfect timing as we had recently lost our first rescue goat, Patches, to natural causes at an old age, and Miles had also been acting a little different and lonely without her. Butter and Miles bonded immediately and both of their frowns were turned upside down. This guy brought so much energy to the ranch and obviously wants no one to feel lonely, like he once did, because he wants to be friends with EVERYONE and play with EVERYONE no matter how big or small they are!
CHICKENS
Our flock of chickens have come to us for many different reasons. Some from hoarding situations, some that were locked in dog kennels in a garage, some that have suffered frostbite, some that were unwanted due to not laying eggs, and some stray from the streets of Eagle Grove, Iowa. Here at the ranch our chickens can roam as they please (even if that means messing up our flower beds), here at the ranch our chickens can be loved no matter how old they are (even if that means they don't lay breakfast for the morning), and here at the ranch our chickens have a place with room to roost safely each night! And here at the ranch they all get names... Big Red, Betty White, Barney, and Tiny, just to name a few!
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate found her way to the ranch in September of 2021 along with her best friend, Tink. Chocolate was from a dairy goat farm where she was deemed unwanted due to her inability to breed because of a rare goat disease that can lead to a life of arthritis and possible nerve damage. After leaving the dairy farm, Chocolate found herself at a new home with her best friend but the horses that they shared a pasture with were not treating them well. Their owner at the time tried for months to find them a new, safe home but Chocolate & Tink were again seen as unwanted or potential supper and they are far too friendly and sweet for anything like that. Chocolate may love humans more than any goat in the history of goats, this girl will do anything for a little love and attention. Tink is still her best friend as she follows her everywhere and cuddles with her every night!
CHRIS
Chris is a mixed breed goat who arrived at the ranch in December of 2021 when he was almost 1 year old along with 7 other rescues who were lice and mite infested and in need of vet care. Chris was very unsocialized, shy, and scared but with time, he is warming up to humans and showing that he can stand his own with the bigger goats. Chris was rescued along with 15 other animals from a couple that was attempting to breed/sell goats and have a few pets of their own. They ran into some financial issues, abruptly lost their house, and were contemplating selling the animals for meat or abandoning them. Thankfully they reached out to local rescues and sanctuaries instead. Along with Peace Creek Animal Rescue & Sanctuary and Betsy’s Barn Pig Rescue, we were able to work together to save all but 1 of the animals who unfortunately was very ill due to years of neglect. Our vet confirmed that even with adequate vet care, she would have faced a very poor quality of life, so it was best for her to be humanely euthanized.
CRAWFORD
Crawford was rescued in December of 2019 at around 9 months old along with his mom, Bermuda, who was still nursing him. These were 2 of around 400 animals who were rescued from Cricket Hollow Roadside Zoo in Manchester, Iowa after it was shut down due to the horrific conditions these animals were forced to live in and the lack of care they were receiving. When we picked this duo up, they were matted, underweight, scared, confused, and stressed. Less than a month in Bermuda got very sick and was diagnosed with a parasite which had likely been in her for months due to the lack of preventative care at the zoo. After high doses of medication and extensive physical therapy, Bermuda didn't make it. Crawford was very sad and confused but he showed resilience and adjusted extremely well. He has grown into quite the gentleman, gives the best kisses, has made lots of friends, and now, as our only llama, thinks he's a goat!
DOLLY
Dolly was surrendered to Almost Home Animal Shelter in Fort Dodge, Iowa in February of 2018 after her previous owners abused her and accused her of not getting along with their other pets. We were quickly contacted about her as we had a bit of a reputation at the time as the “Great Dane rescue people”. While she instantly bonded with Haley, she was terrified of men and for the first several days wouldn't be in the same room as Tyler without cowering in fear. She has since learned that people are her friends and she wants to be as close to them as possible at every opportunity. Some of her best friends are now goats, sheep, llamas, chickens, pigs, cats, mini-cows, and any other animal who ends up here at the ranch! In January of 2023 Dolly was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma when a large tumor was found on her shoulder near her spinal cord. The tumor was removed, she completed 4 rounds of Palliative Radiotherapy, and there has been no metastasizing since. Then in January of 2024 Dolly suffered from a colonic torsion but survived a risky surgery, recovered extremely well, has a strict mealtime routine now, and has returned to her baseline. Even after all she's been through, some of her favorite hobbies are still running super fast around the ranch, playing with the goats (especially Butter), cuddling with humans, hanging out with pigs (& stealing their food), and wandering around with her toys.
HAMILTON
Hamilton is a Juliana pig who arrived at the ranch in May of 2023, just before his 7th birthday. He was a bougie city pig living in a nice house in a nice neighborhood with nice people in a big city. So country life at the ranch was a big change for him but he has been slowly adjusting and seems to be loving his new life. It was difficult for his previous family to find a vet who could provide the care he needed in their area and on top of that, his new human sister was very allergic to him, meds weren't doing the trick, and it was becoming difficult to keep everyone separated, safe, and still happy! He arrived with a few pounds to lose, some big time allergies that caused his nose to run like crazy, mange, and some pretty infected teeth which had spread to his ears and began causing his teeth to fall out. After weeks in quarantine, a few vet visits, lots of meds, and a visit to the dentist, his health has finally improved and he has met all of his new friends. We can't wait for him and Oreo to become besties! Hamilton is stubborn, curious, shy, vocal, funny, has the most adorable squeaky snort when he's happy, and fits in perfectly here!
KEITH
Keith is a guinea who arrived at the ranch in November of 2021 after somehow showing up in a nice lady's yard in the middle of Fort Dodge, Iowa back in May of 2021. Over these 6 months she thankfully took very good care of him, spoiled him a lot, and allowed him to sleep in her tree. But she knew he needed a safer shelter before winter hit so she reached out to us. While Keith enjoyed his time in "the city", he is better off as a country guinea and has made great friends with his new flock of chickens and ducks here at the ranch. Keith enjoys scratching around in the straw, loudly chatting with us and his flock, and perching as high as he can get in the coop at night to snuggle with Pepsi, one of his chicken friends.
LAMBERT
Lambert is a Babydoll sheep who was rescued in June of 2020 straight out of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, just blocks from Court Ave., along with his goat brother Roebuck. Babydoll sheep are known for their friendliness and their small size but when we picked Lambert up, he was super wooly, hot, overweight, and lethargic. As we monitored him in quarantine, we realized he was urinating blood and quickly got him to the Humboldt Veterinary Clinic where he was diagnosed with a UTI and bladder stones. This was likely due to poor nutrition and too much grain to make up for his lack of pasture in the city. Lambert was extra happy once we hooked him up with medicine to cure him, a healthier diet, a big area for lots of exercise, and a sheep shearer. He is now the friend to all (any human and all animals), loves pineapple, and will do anything for a nose rub. Babydoll sheep are known for their smiles and this dude has literally smiled through his entire journey!
LORETTA
Loretta is a miniature zebu cow who was born in May of 2021, unable to bear weight on her right front leg, which also has an extra hoof. Because of this, her previous owner deemed her as "defective" as she wasn’t “good enough” to sell or breed in their eyes. She was surrendered to the ranch in September of 2021 and it was determined by our vet that her leg had fused in a bent position due to untreated trauma at birth but they confirmed that it was causing her no pain at this time. She initially adjusted to life in sanctuary tremendously, began eating from our hands, learned which goats are bullies, is very vocal when she’s hungry or wants attention, and made best friends with Lambert (which she shows by giving him lots of licks)... and then her first Iowa winter showed up. Her little body was just too small to handle any weather below 50 degrees so she began losing weight and energy trying to keep herself warm. At this point she became a house cow for the next 6 months to get through winter. She quickly bonded with Dolly, snuggled with her, became familiar with toys, learned to beg like a dog at meal times, and was the first to wake everyone up for breakfast with a loud "moo". After moving back outside we decided Loretta was ready for an assistive device to help her get around a little better and to avoid any potential issues that may arise from only ambulating on 3 legs. Derrick Campana from Bionic Pets came to the ranch and built her the most perfect prosthetic that she took to immediately. Ever since, she has been able to keep up with her friends, venture further out in the pasture, enjoy playtime and the zoomies, and is healthier and stronger than ever. Loretta's story and her inspiring journey of adjusting to life with 4 legs is featured on Season 6, Episode 6 of The Wizard of Paws. It is safe to say Loretta is far from “defective” to us!
MILES
Miles is a Pygmy Angora goat who came to us in July of 2019 at around 3 years old. He was from a hoarding case that could no longer appropriately care for all their animals. He was underweight, matted, shy, and needing a new, safe, healthy, caring home. Since then, he has quickly become the chunkiest, bossiest, and most attention seeking goat at the ranch, but also the most loving! He enjoys long lays in the sun, all the skritches, being in everyone's business, and headbutting our buildings and cars.
MUMBLES
Mumbles is Ruby’s pig sister; these girls were originally rescued by our local dog rescue (Peace Creek Animal Rescue & Sanctuary) while they were on their way to slaughter. They had an amazing new start to their life with Kim at Peace Creek but they needed more room to roam and an area further from the highway as they like to push down the fence at times (but shhhh... this hasn't happened in months) so they came to live out the rest of their lives here at the ranch! They were our first pasture friends here in June of 2019 and were around 2 years old at the time. They are big, bossy, smart, and lovable. They enjoy all the treats, naps in the sun, cuddling in the cold, scratches behind the ears, and possibly think they are just big dogs.
OREO
Oreo is a mini pot-bellied pig that was on his way from Texas to Indiana when he decided to escape his grandma's house in Iowa to hide in a corn field for a few days. When he arrived at the ranch in November of 2019, he wasn't a big fan of us and he wasn't a big fan of the cold due to his arthritis (and being a little overweight) so he was doing a lot of "knee walking". Since then, with some medicine, a little weight loss, and time, he has adjusted to Iowa's climate and has made many friends here at the ranch... Even us! Some of his favorite things are naps in the sun, belly rubs, mulberry trees, treats, and dodging playtime with Butter.
PENGUIN
Penguin is a KuneKune pig who came to the ranch in April 2024. He was found along with another pig, Batman, on a newly purchased property where the new owners quickly recognized their poor condition and reached out to us. Their tusks (bottom teeth) had grown so long that they curled back and caused deep, infected sores on their cheeks from rubbing every time they opened their mouths. To say their hooves needed trimmed was an understatement. The length was causing them to adjust the way they walk and potentially the way their joints function. They are extremely overweight which has only made it more difficult for them to get around and has even caused blindness and deafness. Mechanical or fat blindness is when a pig gains so much weight that the fat on their face actually rolls down over their eyes. These rolls can also obstruct their ears by pushing them forward, down, and blocking them. Their tusks and hooves have been trimmed, their pain is under control, their infected wounds have been cleaned out and cleared up with antibiotics, and now we're just working on getting their weight down to a normal level to clear up some of those secondary issues. Penguin isn't overly friendly or a huge fan of us yet, but we have no doubt that once we get him feeling healthier and more active, his true personality will come out! But for now, he enjoys hanging out with his brother, napping out in the pasture, and grumbling when we try to hang out with him!
ROEBUCK
Roebuck started his new life at the ranch in June of 2020. He is a Pygmy goat that we rescued straight out of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, just blocks from Court Ave., along with his sheep brother Lambert. Roebuck has shown that he is much more of a country boy than a city boy... He loves playing with his goat friends that he quickly made here at the ranch and he seems to think all this open land is a little more fun than the garage and small yard he was used to. Now when he escapes the fence (daily) he can roam safely and not worry about that city traffic!
ROMEO
Romeo arrived at the ranch in May of 2023 after being dumped in an area near a local golf course. He is lovable and friendly so he quickly became the "neighborhood cat" that many people loved. However his life was at risk due to frequently crossing a very busy highway, drastically increasing the cat population in this area, and causing damage to the golf course sheds, carts, and equipment. To help alleviate this issue and increase the safety of about 9 cats and kittens, we assisted the Wright County Humane Society in kicking off their TNR program with this group. Romeo quickly bonded with us and we knew that he was meant to live out his life at the ranch, so here he is. He is a lover and friend to all so isn't surprised by any animal he has met here. Some of his favorite things include climbing trees, napping on the couch, playing with Skidz, cuddling with Dolly, and getting attention from literally any human!
RUBY
Ruby is Mumbles’ pig sister; these girls were originally rescued by our local dog rescue (Peace Creek Animal Rescue & Sanctuary) while they were on their way to slaughter. They had an amazing new start to their life with Kim at Peace Creek but they needed more room to roam and an area further from the highway as they like to push down the fence at times (but shhhh... this hasn't happened in months) so they came to live out the rest of their lives here at the ranch! They were our first pasture friends here in June of 2019 and were around 2 years old at the time. They are big, bossy, smart, and lovable. They enjoy all the treats, naps in the sun, cuddling in the cold, scratches behind the ears, and possibly think they are just big dogs.
RUSSELL
Russell is an Alpine goat who arrived at the ranch in December of 2021 at around 5 years old along with 7 other rescues who were lice and mite infested and in need of vet care. Russell is a big boy, acts as a father to all of his goat friends, and loves human attention. Russell was rescued along with 15 other animals from a couple that was attempting to breed/sell goats and have a few pets of their own. They ran into some financial issues, abruptly lost their house, and were contemplating selling the animals for meat or abandoning them. Thankfully they reached out to local rescues and sanctuaries instead. Along with Peace Creek Animal Rescue & Sanctuary and Betsy’s Barn Pig Rescue, we were able to work together to save all but 1 of the animals who unfortunately was very ill due to years of neglect. Our vet confirmed that even with adequate vet care, she would have faced a very poor quality of life, so it was best for her to be humanely euthanized.
SKIDZ
Skidz has a pretty simple story since she was born here at the ranch in May of 2020 and has been lucky enough to live a good, healthy, and safe life right off the bat. Skidz is one of Esther's surprise kittens and they are best friends to this day. Skidz has a very different personality compared to her mom, she either wants all of the attention or none of the attention and it’s all up to her and she’ll let you know! She loves to play, annoy her mom, hang out in the straw room, and bask in the sun.
TINK
Tink finally found her way to the ranch in September of 2021, along with her best friend, Chocolate. Tink is a retired dairy goat who was deemed unwanted due to her old age, inability to breed anymore, and swollen/scarred udders. After retirement, Tink found herself at a new home with her best friend but the horses that they shared a pasture with were not treating them well. Their owner at the time tried for months to find them a new, safe home but Tink & Chocolate were again seen as unwanted or potential supper and they are far too friendly and sweet for anything like that. Tink seems to be loving retirement here at the ranch, she puts the younger goats in their place when they're acting up, she runs to the fence for human interaction, and eats likes there's no tomorrow!