Absolutely a fantastic article and so so true! Horse advocates need to find local rescues and go see where the money is at
Thank you for saying in print what I have been thinking for several years. There are rescue groups that ALWAYS have a tragic screaming emergency that needs contributions--lots of contributions. Then, there are some rescues who, although crying overloaded, will not or rarely adopt out a dog or cat, although there are people who would take them. It seems to me they are behaving as hoarders. Then, there are rescues who bypass beautiful, healthy animals needing rescue to help an animal close to death, raking up thousands of dollars in vet fees and repeatedly calling for more contributions. Thank you for authoritatively putting into writing what I have had suspicions about for a long time.
I did rescue on my own at my own expense, for years and years, so when some of these so call rescue, tell me how much they spend a year/month/daily on a horse, and it is way over the normal amount. I question them...make them explain, and "if" I hear, well lawyer fees, barn building, (when there is a nice barn on local) road gravel, new lawn mower or tractor.....I do not give and will come out and tell them way. Unless 110 percent goes right back in for feed/hay/vet/farrier cost, it is not a true rescue.
Good article. Id like to add a few things: there are 2 "rescue/shelters" in California that are notorious for killing hundreds of horses every year that donated funds, including funds for vet exams, board, farrier care, etc, have been sent by the hundreds of thousands of dollars to rescue. They capitalize on the fact that most donors interact with them on social media only, and the donors don't follow through regarding keeping track of WHERE are the rescued horses AFTER the excitement and drama of a "crisis rescue" is over. These "rescues" have hundreds of horses that entirely disappear and because of their ties to a local kill buyer in the case of one of these "rescues", it is feared that some horses rescued/bought with donated funds may have been sent to slaughter. Neither of these "rescues" will show vet reports and vet bills, let alone euthanasia reports and bills from the vet and also the body disposal company, for ALL of the horses they say and have written their vet is examining. Basically there are MANY opportunistic horse and dog "rescues" making an outrageously good living USING SOCIAL MEDIA where much of their following and donors help them from afar over the Internet and these followers will never meet the rescuers in person, visit their facility, etc. Without social media marketing where "anything goes", these rescues would be dead in the water because they would have to rely on local and regional support, or they'd have to PAY for marketing via mailers, commercials, etc. When people that portray themselves as "rescues" but they actually "sort" horses just like a trader and/or kill buyer does, and they dispose of horses not worth enough money on selling by killing them (one of the rescues noted above related in writing how as of September 2016, they had shot 56 horses rescued in 2016 with a .22 - illegal in CA under cruelty laws) or disappearing them "wherever", and they won't show vet reports and bills backing up their claims of horses having "quality of life issues", MOST animal lovers agree that that is not rescue.
I know of the one in California you are talking about! A total disgrace. I also heard they are opening up under a new name. Hope it is just a rumor. Please beware of this group as they are sick and twisted!!
I SO agree. And I have three, OMEGA HORSE RESCUE and Rosemary’s Farm in upper New York State which is now a sanctuary. Here in the Northwest, we are fortunate to have, SOUND EQUINE OPTIONS.