Very few of us like to think about those possibilities but we at Horse Haven get several calls each week from people who find themselves in exactly those situations.
Sometimes we can help by educating the owner on how to best place the horse in a new home. We suggest that they follow our policies and perform a facility and reference check as well as follow up with the new owner once the horse is moved. Additionally we recommend drafting an agreement that outlines the expectations of both parties in regards to the upkeep of the animal. In the event there is ever a discussion about what was said at the time ownership changed, it is very helpful to have something in writing.
Sometimes we can help an owner with our "Helping Hooves" program. Helping Hooves provides hay and feed to qualified and responsible owners that find themselves in temporary financial difficulties such as a lay-off from work. It is a short term program that covers two horses for up to three months. The horses have to be up to date on Coggins testing and vaccinations. That's the "responsible owner" part of the application.
Sometimes we can help an owner with the "Ultimate Act of Compassion", a program which helps pay for euthanasia. Often times owners are attempting to find homes for horses with expensive medical problems that they can't afford, or elderly horses that require additional feed and hay. And while the decision to have a horse put down is never an easy one, it is sometimes the kindest and most merciful one.
Horse Haven of Tennessee does not accept horses surrendered by their owners. If we did, we would have had to close our doors long ago. We average approximately four calls a week from people looking to give up their horse, pony or donkey. Our barns and pastures would be full and our bank account would be empty. There would be no place to keep animals seized by law enforcement. And if law enforcement doesn't have a place for a horse to go, that animal will have to stay in the abusive or neglectful home.
If you would like additional information on programs mentioned here, or would like to specifically donate to them, please contact me at sonja.cowsert@yahoo.com.
May the horse be with you.........
We wrote up our Wills a couple years ago when we had our first child. All of our pets/livestock were put in there. If my family could /could not care for them, I wrote in the preferred order of where they should go and information for organizations like HHT that could help them find homes. I pray my animals and I are together until they die old and happy, but if God chooses differently, they don't need to suffer because of my laziness.
ReplyDeleteMy vet has been told that when I die my horses are to be put down. I will not have them in a possible situation where they could possibly end up in the slaughter pipe line period.
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