Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County seeks help for ailing animals

Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County recently placed two starving horses and a mule into foster homes, and now it’s asking the public to help get the animals rehabilitated.

The animals were seized May 17 by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office in the 9800 block of Dempsey Lane — from a family that the Olympia nonprofit has dealt with before.

“This is the third time we’ve had animals from this address,” said Kathy Bailey, president of Hooved Animal Rescue.

Lt. Mike Ware said the Sheriff’s Office had received a tip that there was a problem with the livestock at that address.

Authorities found several animals, including a horse that was so sick the veterinarian put it down at the scene, Ware said.

“It was in pretty severe shape,” he added. “We very rarely have to euthanize on the spot.”

Ware said the case has been referred to the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office, and the owners could face felony animal cruelty charges.

Meanwhile, the surviving animals are being nursed back to health. They include Diamond, an appaloosa gelding that is about 250 pounds under a healthy weight and is staying at a farm near Lacey, Bailey said.

Phoebe, a 9-year-old mule, and Paris, a 6-year-old appaloosa mare, are staying at a farm near Yelm.

The nonprofit has 20 horses under its care, Bailey said. All of the animals were impounded by law enforcement agencies in abuse and neglect cases.

“We rely on the public for donations,” Bailey said.

For more information on how to help the horses, call 360-701-2007, go to har-otc.com or send a check to HAROTC, P.O. Box 711, East Olympia, WA, 98540.

This story was originally published June 5, 2014 at 12:00 AM.