Inspired by Anna Sewell's novel "Black Beauty", Amory established the Black Beauty Ranch, a 1,460-acre sanctuary that sheltered various abused animals including chimpanzees, burros and elephants. Located in Murchison, Texas, this ranch accommodated over 600 resident animals. Amory's goal when creating the animal refuge was to "create a sanctuary where its inhabitants would roam unfettered and unbothered by human taskmasters." The words on the ranch's gate are taken from the final lines of Sewell's novel, "I have nothing to fear, / and my story ends. / My troubles are all over, / and I am at home."