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The Abuse Just Keeps On
Coming
We've just completed our fourth
rescue of starving, abused, and neglected horses this year. These rescues
took us to Union, Lee, and Pontotoc counties; we also continue to monitor the
court-ordered corrective operation of the Harry Green stables in
Plantersville.
Our most recent
horse rescue, which took place in Pontotoc on
October 14th, involved seven horses found literally starving to death in a
barren lot. These poor animals all wandered aimlessly in search of any tiny
source of food. But there was no food to be found.
Trooper, a skeletal Appaloosa, was very weak. Lady, a black mare with a
beautiful white streak down her face was not quite as weak, but just as
thin. These two kept to themselves, away from the others.
Dixie, a frail sorrel filly, Gina, a thin sorrel mare, Lucky, a sorrel
gelding with a lower leg injury, Prince, a larger sorrel, later determined
by our vet to be most at risk due to being anemic as well as malnourished,
and Dandy, a beautiful line-back dunn gelding, finished out this group of
sad horses.
We later gave Dandy the nickname Overtime because it took a second day
and extra hours just to coax him into the trailer. He didn't want to stay
and he didn't want to go. He hated everybody except Susan and she's the only
one who could get near him. He now realizes we aren't going to hurt him
and he cooperates quite well. Both he and Trooper consider eating a serious
activity.
All the horses were stabled for the first two days for careful observation
and stage feeding, with lots of quality hay, fresh water and supplements
ordered by our vet to help stabilize them. On the second evening, all were
given a thorough examination by the vet, Coggins tested, given tetanus
shots, and some were given antibiotics. Their exam grades range from
extremely thin to critical. But their spirits have already greatly improved
and we are optimistic for their full recovery.
Compassion First is thankful for those people who care enough to alert us to
the plight of these wonderful animals, and we are very proud to be able to
save them from such a dismal fate. Response to this latest rescue has been
overwhelming from many who want to foster or adopt these horses, or who want
to donate hay or feed. We appreciate them all and will gladly accept
anything we can get. Our greatest concern at this point, however, is our
shortage of funds.
Unlike other organizations, Compassion First is 100% funded by donations.
We get no grants and no government assistance of any kind. Our operations
are funded out of pocket, and your donations are desperately needed.
To put it bluntly, what we must have if we're to continue these very
expensive rescue operations, is CASH. Without financial help, it is highly
unlikely that we will be able to respond to the (inevitable) next call about
starving horses. We know of no other organization in northeast Mississippi
even willing to consider attempting horse rescues. It is an extremely
difficult task, very time consuming, incredibly stressful, and the expenses
begin to mount immediately. It is also rewarding beyond imagination, but the
vet bills alone could put an end to our little organization.
We intend to rehabilitate these horses at least to the point of independent
stability before they will be adopted. It will be an expensive process, and
we need financial help. We desparately want to continue to save them, and
monetary donations will help us to be ready for the next call.
To help us immediately, click here to make an Instant
Donation. Or if you prefer to provide ongoing assistance to our rescue
efforts, become a Pawprint Sponsor through the links in the left pane of
this page. This program lets you set up a secure monthly donation that is
processed automatically. You are of course under no contractual obligation
and can cancel at any time. UPDATE: We had to go back for a second
phase of this operation.
Click here for
photos of some of the rescued animals and the conditions in which they were
found.
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