Rescue & Retire
Welcome to our newest page dedicated to the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Retirement of horses as well as other animals. This page will feature our own orphans, whom we take in occasionally, who will be available for adoption as they are rehabbed. I will also develop a list of rescues and organizations that I have found to be exemplary in their dedication to the animals in their care and whom offer services to assist pet owners. I hope to make it a resource for those looking for help in adopting a horse or pet, rescuing a horse or pet; or to locate worthwhile organizations who directly assist animals in need -- be it a horse, goat, bunny, dog, cat or even Pot-Bellied Pig!
I have recently discovered a wonderful retirement farm for horses, Out 2 Pasture, located in Jamestown, Missouri. One of our recent rescues, Bailey, spent the last months of his life there, and the caring and dedication is wonderful. Please check out Bailey and the information about Out 2 Pasture Farms, scroll down the page.
Available for Adoption at Chestnut Ridge: Please scroll Down
Horses Available Thru Helping Hearts Equine Rescue
hheartsequine@optonline.net
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Horse Retirement:OUT2PASTURE
Kill Pen rescue Bailey (Pogolotti Hill) arrived at his final home on Tues., Oct. 3, 2007. Home is the wonderful farm, 'Out2Pasture' in Jamestown, Missouri. Out2Pasture is a retirement farm run by Robin Hurst-March and Zachary March. When choosing to retire your horse, please consider Out2Pasture. Their rates are extremely reasonable and their care is exemplary. You can view their website at http://www.out2pasture.com/ and email them at hurstr@missouri.edu.
OUT2PASTURE, JAMESTOWN, MISSOURI ~~ "Our philosophy is that the Bailey’s of the world have done their part, and that they should not have to worry nor want for anything for the rest of their lives. All retirees at our farm are on borrowed time and we just want them to have as pain-free a life as possible. We blanket in the winter, fly spray, fly mask and bath regularly in the summer. We have 400 acres that have been divided into small, rotational pastures, and everyone has shelter, automatic waterers. Everyone is on a joint supplement, some on pain meds, as well as grained 2xdaily and the oldies, but still goodies get soaked beet pulp with molasses at midday. Our horses do not graze well bc of DJD afflictions, so we also feed alfalfa 2x daily year around. Everyone’s feet are done 8-10 weeks, special shoes for those who need them. We de-worm regularly; shots 2x year, teeth float 2x check yearly. We do try and serve the rescue organizations first, however, we have seen the need grow so tremendously that we are just now opening up to private. Lisa, my husband and I work full time, but my parents have retired and now live on the adjacent farm to us and they do all the morning and midday chores and feeding to help out. This part I am telling you bc for every “Bailey” we take in, if you would, after approving us, recommend us to one private retiree who could make a monthly per diem (of around $180) it would help offset costs for those like Bailey who simply fall through the cracks. My salary goes to keep the horses in the manner in which they deserve. We are not in this to make a buck off the backs of our retirees. We are continually improving our infrastructure. Please refer individuals who are looking for retirement for their loved ones to us, if you feel comfortable. I know you’ve already done so much for Bailey, and this is not a condition of us taking him, just a note to let you know."
I feel Very Comfortable recommending Robin and her farm!!!!
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RETIREMENT HOME FOR HORSES
Update on Butch & Buddy: I was saddened to learn from Peter Gregory, of Retirement Home for Horses, Inc. that our friend Buddy, of Butch & Buddy fame, unexpectedly passed on the morning of November 29, 2006. His passing was immediate and apparently was a massive heart attack. Buddy was buried in their 'Field of Dreams' and a live Oak will be planted in his memory.
Donations to the Retirement home for Horses, Inc. in memory of Buddy and for the continued care of Butch would be greatly appreciated. Their address is PO Box 2100, Alachua, FL 32616-2100. http://www.millcreekfarm.org/.
RESCUES:
First Our Own:
HELPING HEARTS EQUINE RESCUE --www.freewebs.com/hher
Helping Hearts Equine Rescue, Inc., is a NJ non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of equines in need; assisting equines in situations of neglect, abuse or threat of slaughter located in, but not necessarily limited to Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Countyies - in our home state of NJ. To educate the public regarding the standards of care required to maintain an equine as a riding partner and/or companion animal in a humane manner. 501(c) 3 pending.ANOTHER CHANCE 4 HORSES - - www.AC4H.com
AC4H was founded by Christy and Rick Sheidy and is located in Bernville, PA. Christy and Rick are in the trenches, pulling horses from kill pens, often hours or minutes before the horses are due to load up for slaughter plants. All funds raised by this 501(c)3 organization are used to directly save horses' lives. We pulled our first rescues (after Butch & Buddy) with the help of Christy and Rick. If you are looking to rescue a specific type of horse (mini, draft, QH, etc.) Christy and Rick can help.
MYLESTONE EQUINE RESCUE - - www.mylestone.org
This not-for-profit rescue is run by Susankelly Thompson in Warren County, NJ. They have many horses in need of good homes, as well as many permanent residents. Their Mission Statement is: Mylestone Equine Rescue (M.E.R.) is dedicated to abused and neglected horses. M.E.R. works to educate the general public about these unspeakable sufferings and promotes the plight of unwanted horses.
Our goal is to place these once magnificent creatures in homes that will give them the true love and care they deserve. If suitable homes are not found, M.E.R. will be a permanent home for these horses.
NEW ENGLAND EQUINE RESCUE - - www.NewEnglandEquineRescue.com
Started in '05, NEER is a constantly growing 501(c)3 non-profit organization that networks horse people all over the New England region. NEER is dedicated to helping horses and horse rescues in all ways possible, including direct intervention for abused or slaughter-bound equines, effective horse placement, fundraising, and active support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
Adopt a Mustang ~ http://www.uswhba.org/
MISSION STATEMENT ~THE US WILD HORSE AND BURRO ASSOCIATION IS DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF AMERICA’S WILD HORSES AND BURROS, THROUGH ADOPTION AND EDUCATION. THE US WILD HORSE AND BURRO ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT'S "ADOPT A WILD HORSE OR BURRO PROGRAM", AND IS OPEN TO ALL OF AMERICA’S WILD EQUINE BREEDS. THE US WILD HORSE AND BURRO ASSOCIATION OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN TRAINING AND CARE TO NEW ADOPTERS AND OWNERS TO INSURE THEIR EXPERIENCE IS POSITIVE .
Please Spay/Neuter Your Pets ~ This is why:
http://www.news-Journal.com/news/content/news/slideshows/animals/index.html
Dogs & Cats:
Discounted Spay/Neuter Program.
Friends of Animals offers spay/neuter certificates to allow pet owners to spay/neuter their pets at a discounted price. See their website for full information and participating vets~ http://www.friendsofanimals.org/cgi-bin/snrequest.cgi .
Wag On Inn Rescue - www.wagoninnrescuegroups.org
Wag On Inn Rescue, A NJ recognized 501(C)3 organization, located in Monmouth County, NJ. We are a small group of dedicated volunteers, trying to rehome dogs and cats. We have a variety of animals looking for their forever home. The animals are worked with individually to be socialized with other animals and with people. Most are crate trained. Are you looking for a furry companion to add to your life? Could your home be the right home for one of these deserving animals? We might have just the right companion to meet your needs.
RABBITS:
KIND HEART RESCUE - www.kindheartrescue.com
Kind Heart Rescue of Monmouth/Ocean is a Nonprofit 501(c)3 Organization, that has been providing Quality Rescue for over 20 years. Kind Heart Rescue provides sanctuary for homeless dogs and rabbits. Many require a couple weeks or months before they are ready to go to a new home. Others - who are older or have suffered some sort of trauma – may never find a new home, have one here for the rest of their lives, where they will know love and kindness. All bunnies are adopted out already spayed/neutered.
Contact them at: Kind Heart Rescue 3 Hyacinth Court Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 E-mail: K911Rescue@aol.com Inquiries via e-mail or US Postal Service only.
Spay/Neuter Options for your pet bunnies: Rabbits will live longer and healthier lives if they are neutered. Neutering also neutralizes undesirable behavior in rabbits such as urine spraying in some males and cage territoriality in females. The New Jersey House Rabbit Society now offers spay/neuter certificates to allow rabbit owners to neuter their rabbits at a discounted price. Please check their website for full information and participating vets: http://www.njhrs.com/spayneuter.htm
A must read...
A man in Grand Rapids , Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full
page ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of
his community.
HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you
laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes
and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.
Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How
could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were
terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those
nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and
secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more
perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides,
stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad
for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you
to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career,
and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently,
comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided
you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings,
and then you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -
- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection,
and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was
fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to
mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them,
and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog
crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of
love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my
fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my
eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved
everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now
so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need
be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and
secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in
the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that
you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories
about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed
the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and
you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and
they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've
made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when
I was your only family
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal
shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You
filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home
for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand
the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You
had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he
screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I
worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about
friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about
respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided
my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you.
You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left,
the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move
months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They
shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy
schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days
ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front,
hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all
a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared,
anyone who might save me.
When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention
of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far
corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the
end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate
room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed
my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation
of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner
of love had run out of days.
As is my nature, I was more concerned about her.. The burden which she
bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew
your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as
a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used
to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic
needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing
through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and
murmured, "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so
sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make
sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused
or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light
so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of
energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How
could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My
Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait
for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so
much loyalty.
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your
eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because
it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets
who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use
this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal
shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the
decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life,
that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another
appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local
humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice,
and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and
encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad,
but because it might save maybe even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love
UNCONDITIONALLY.
