ECONOMy: Where’s help for those who can’t afford to feed their animals?
EVI STRATTON; Auburn
Re: the story about the five emaciated horses found on a logging road near Elbe (TNT, 11-20).
This appears to be a last desperate act by the owner of these poor horses. He probably had to choose between food for his family or the horses.
I can sympathize. I have three rescue horses, and because of the loss of my job find myself in the position of trying to find new homes for them. A friend had agreed to take one. As for the other two, I have tried for almost two months now, with no luck. I have called every rescue group and adoption program; I even advertised a “free horse” with no luck.
No one is accepting new rescues. Everyone is at full capacity. I have spent days scouring the Web, looking for anyone who would help. Meanwhile my savings are being eaten up by paying board and buying hay and grain. I am going on seven weeks with no income, not even unemployment because the state is backlogged and investigating my case.
I personally would never abandon my “kids,” but I can understand how someone could feel that turning them loose and giving them a fighting chance might be a better answer then just killing them. Even euthanasia is very expensive if you don’t own your own land to bury a large animal, as it costs about $500 to have a horse removed.
I used to be the one who rescued. Now I need help, and there is no one out there.
