I TaraSun Animal Rescue Retreat has been helping animals in need since 1993 regardless of age, color, breed, size or species. Our focus began and continues with spay and neuter to help the over population of cats to reduce pain and suffering.Over 99% of the tame stray and feral cats and dogs come still intact and sometimes already pregnant. We help animals who come to us after abandonment and when they are ill and/or injured. Most animals are weary from neglect and/or abuse and take much time and care to learn to trust again.

The ultimate TaraSun goal is to rehabilitate using nutrition and holistic healing modalities that include homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs, flower essences, t-touch, jinshinjyutsu and chiropractic care to enable an animal to heal and find a new forever loving home.Each animal is fed a species appropriate diet and we have been raw feeders since 1996. Extensive research and experience has shown that often times simply providing a safe and secure chemical free environment along with proper nutrition is all that is needed along with time, love and acceptance for an animal to reach his/her optimum level of wellness.

TaraSun has assisted cats, dogs, chickens, birds, turkeys, goats, rabbits and horses. Especially during grim economic times, we have helped humans by taking in animals on a temporary basis while their humans relocate so to be able to care for their animals companions again. Relinquishment to a county shelter often means they will not be able to get their animal back. When a new special forever home is not found, we offer lifetime care and hospice when an animal is ready transition. TaraSun is a committed no kill sanctuary but we do follow expert veterinary advice when the suffering is extensive and euthanasia is the humane action to take. We are a non profit 501©3 rescue sanctuary. TaraSun has no paid employees and all donations go directly to help the animals.

Who we are

Lynn, our Founder, Full time retreat manager and caregiver is our CEO, has spent a lifetime caring for others. After 40 years of local hospital and clinic nursing, she has a good sense of natural biology and physiology. She is an avid organic gardener, ethical vegan with a deep-seeded interest and study in nutrition. Lynn has studied on her own along with directed study in homeopathy and therapeutic herbalism and touch therapy. Animals seem to find their way to her in the time of great need, for TaraSun does not go out looking for animals to rescue.

Ryan J. Styles has become our President.  Ryan has been involved with TaraSun from the beginning but has most recently, with his wife Lindsey, has been busy raising their two incredible children, Lucille and Mason and growing their business with Engel and Volkers Real Estate Sonoma County.  Ryan is active in community activities, an avid swimmer, cyclist and runner and a proud alumni of USC as a graduate with degrees in theatre and Communication.

Karli Styles Lacy is our Vice President. Karli is active in the community, the ultimate child care provider, and busy caring for her own precious daughter, Emma. She is a massage therapist, birth photographer, doula and a Sales Executive with Old Republic Title.

Tanya Janson is our Secretary. Tanya is a pro in the high tech community and has been involved in feline rescue for many years. We are grateful for her expertise and willingness to help animals in need.

Our co-founder John has been Treasurer and master snuggler, income maker and habitat builder. He has been a REALTOR® in Sonoma, Lake & Marin Counties since 1974. Lynn will become our Treasurer since John’s passing on November 18, 2025.

In tribute to and in his memory, from Maya Angelou:When Great Trees Fall

When Great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.  When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.  When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examined, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.  Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.  Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened.  Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away.  We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.  And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly.  Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.  Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.  They existed.  They existed.  We can be. Be and be better.  For they existed.

Our Advisory board members: Pat Meyer,  Sharon Callahan, Joellen Burton, and our beloved advisor emeritus Diane Shepard, have experience with animal care and rescue to offer us guidance and assistance as needed. Our eternal gratitude to Dr Jack Long who provided compassionate holistic and expert veterinary care to most of the TaraSun animals.