Kaley Cuoco's 40-acre California ranch is now a refuge for rescued animals

When Kaley Cuoco purchased a 40-acre property in California for $4.99 million in 2017, it already had facilities for keeping horses. Nine years later, the ranch has become a refuge for rescued animals, including horses, cows, goats, pigs, donkeys and birds.

The actress, who became widely known for playing Penny in The Big Bang Theory, has spent years developing the property to accommodate animals that need a home.Located in Thousand Oaks, northwest of Los Angeles, the ranch was originally designed for people interested in horse riding and keeping horses. According to Realtor.com, the property lies in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and includes a three-bedroom, 2,720-square-foot house.

It was advertised as an equestrian estate when Cuoco bought it, with a barn and arenas already available.But Cuoco had plans that went beyond keeping horses. Having grown up around them, she was familiar with caring for animals. As the years passed, she began taking in different species, including animals that had been rescued from poor living conditions and horses that had retired from racing.By 2024, the property had become an important part of both her animal rescue work and her family life.

In interviews with People magazine that year, Cuoco spoke about the animals living there, the changes she had made to the ranch and why providing older animals with a safe home meant so much to her.

Horse ranch becomes home for different animals

One of the unusual features of Cuoco's property is that several different species share the same living areas. Rather than keeping every type of animal completely separate, she has created spaces where smaller farm animals can live together.These include goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, miniature horses and dwarf ponies. Cuoco said the animals gradually establish their own relationships and become comfortable sharing the space."We have a big area where most of the little animals go, the goats, pigs, chickens and mini horses, and they all live together," she said.In the same interview, she revealed that two turkeys had recently joined the ranch. She had wanted to rescue turkeys for some time and was delighted by how friendly the birds were.The property also houses cows, including two named Connie and Ronnie, as well as donkeys and larger horses. Some of the horses are Thoroughbreds that have finished their racing careers.Cuoco has made changes to the property to accommodate its growing animal population. These include building a petting zoo and developing the barn, where she has also installed contemporary chandeliers.

Why older rescued animals are especially important to her

Not every animal arriving at Cuoco's ranch is young or healthy.

Some have experienced difficult circumstances before being rescued, while others are already in the later stages of their lives.Cuoco has said that watching these animals settle into their new surroundings is one of the most rewarding parts of running the ranch. She particularly values being able to care for older animals that may have fewer years left to live.

"We have taken animals out of terrible situations, and to see the growth in how they thrive here, they’re all so happy," she said.Her interest in animal rescue is also connected to her experience with dogs. Cuoco previously had a rescued pit bull mix named Norman, who died in 2021.She has named both her production company and her pet-care brand after him. The brand, Oh Norman!, sells products including dog bowls, treats, toys and clothing. Cuoco has said she wanted a portion of purchases to support animal rescue organisations.

Ranch became part of her daughter's childhood

While Cuoco initially developed the ranch around her interest in animals, it has also become a place where she wants her daughter, Matilda, to grow up learning about them.

She said she introduced her daughter to the horses when she was very young and had even kept a pony for her to ride when she became old enough.However, Cuoco does not consider riding essential. She believes that simply spending time around animals, helping care for them, and understanding their routines can be valuable experiences for a child.Cuoco shares Matilda with actor Tom Pelphrey, whom she began dating in 2022.

Pelphrey also shares her interest in animals. Cuoco recalled that his photographs with a German shepherd had caught her attention before their relationship began. When he first visited the ranch, he was surprised by what she had created there.The property has since become a place where the couple and their daughter spend time together, away from Cuoco's work in the entertainment industry.

Animal Cuoco still hopes to rescue

Despite having a large collection of rescued animals, Cuoco has spoken about one species she would particularly like to add to the ranch. In the 2024 interview, she also said that rescuing a giraffe remained an ambition she had not yet fulfilled. "I am still dying to rescue a giraffe. We have not done that yet," she said.Cuoco has owned several California properties during her acting career, including homes in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Hidden Hills and Agoura Hills.