The goats, horses, pigs and other animals at Cheryl’s Rescue Ranch in Odenton are there because they need a safe place to thrive.

A major fundraising effort and hours of labor now means they’ll be even safer.

A healthy crowd of animals and animal lovers gathered Thursday night to dedicate a new fence that will expand the pasture area at the ranch and provide a new protected environment.

Northrop Grumman led the effort to install the 1,500-foot chain link fence, along with contributions from Atlantic Fence Co., ActionPak and Food Lion.

The rescue ranch on Patuxent Road in Odenton is operated by Wendy Cozzone, who has taken in about 75 animals, most of which were abused, neglected or unwanted.

Workers from the operations, planning and control department at Northtrop Grumman has been involved in assisting the rescue ranch since 2010. They’ve worked on projects including refurbishing barns, building a home and porch for feral cats on the property and creating duck shelters.

The latest effort to build the fence began after a pit bull attacked some animals and killed one goat, Buckwheat.

The fence lines a long trail that backs up to thick vegetation, which Cozzone said will be cleared out “naturally” when the animals begin to graze.