Myths debunked.....

After speaking with community members at numerous public events recently, I realized that there are persistent misconceptions about this organization's purpose. Hopefully, the following will help debunk some of those myths.

We are "Animal Cops".
 Horse Haven is an equine welfare organization and as such has no legal authority in the State of Tennessee or anywhere else in this country. Tennessee law states that the only two entities that can find probable cause in a suspected equine neglect or abuse case are a University or Tennessee Agricultural Extension Agent or a licensed veterinarian. County officials, typically either the Sheriff's department or Animal Control Unit, have to consult with one of the two before obtaining a search and seizure warrant. In order to receive this warrant, the deputy or animal control officer has to explain and document the suspected criminal activity and present it to a judge or magistrate. Only after probable cause has been found by either a vet or UT ag agent and a judge or magistrate agrees that there is cause and a warrant is issued, does Horse Haven become involved. Horse Haven doesn't get to decide which animals, if any, are removed from somebody's property. When county officials call us for help, it is our job to safely remove the animals from the situation, transport them carefully, get them the veterinary help they need and maintain them as evidence in a court case. We often compare ourselves to tow truck drivers and impound lots.

We make a profit on adoption fees.
We keep very good records of our expenses because we are accountable to our supporters and the IRS. Over the last three years, Horse Haven spent an average of $550 per horse while in our care. We recouped an average of $111 in adoption fees per horse. That's a loss of $439 per horse. Because we do take care of any and all seized horses, donkeys, ponies or mules, we don't get to evaluate them for soundness, train-ability or personality prior to intake. Some horses are very old, some are very young, some have never been handled and some have medical or behavioral issues that make them more difficult to place in adoptive homes. Our adoption fees range from $0 to $500 to reflect that challenge.

We sell horses to slaughter.
Due to the fact that we do not pick and choose horses, sometimes we have to have a horse euthanized. The animal may have a medical issue that is financially prohibitive to treat or correct. Or the horse's behavioral problem cannot be corrected with training and the animal becomes a danger to itself or others. These are very difficult calls to make but the alternative of sending an animal to auction to eventually end up south or north of the border at a slaughter plant, is unacceptable to us. A humane, quick death in familiar surroundings has to be better than a long, crowded and scary trip that ends with a bolt to the head. If we had unlimited resources and space available, there wouldn't be a need to make those heart breaking decisions. But we have to manage our funds carefully to be able to maximize our impact on the largest number of horses possible.

We take in horses surrendered by their owners.
Life can change on a dime. Horse owners lose jobs, get divorced or have to move. Relatives pass away and leave a horse. Horses age and are no longer useful. Children grow up and aren't interested in the pony any more. We sympathize but we cannot take in every horse that has fallen on hard times. We try to help as much as we can with our Community Programs. "Studs to Buds" helps with the cost of gelding that unruly colt. "Helping Hooves" covers the cost of hay and feed for a few months for qualified owners experiencing  financial hardships due to job loss, divorce or a death in the family. "The Ultimate Act of Compassion" helps qualified owners with the cost of euthanasia and disposal. In exchange however, we do expect the owners to try to help themselves. We can give advice on how to find a home for an unwanted horse or help an owner  feel better about euthanizing the 35 year old blind horse with severe arthritis. But we cannot do it for them.

We charge Tennessee counties for our service.
Horse Haven provides its services at no cost to the counties. We will assist county officials in any way possible, from picking up and maintaining the animals, to testifying in court. There are no contracts in place with any county in the state. Sometimes we receive court ordered restitution. More often we are stuck with the vet, feed and farrier bills accumulated during a particularly drawn out case. Even if restitution is ordered, it is generally received in small monthly installments.  We do not receive any local, state or federal money. Our support comes from our many supporters from all over the country. Generous and kind people that understand our mission and see the difference we make in the lives of the horses that pass through our facility on their way to a better life.



If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at sonja.cowsert@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in supporting our mission and donating to the cause, please visit our website and click  the "donate" button. You may also want to check out our adoptable horses as well as our event calender. If you'd like to come visit, Adoption Day and Open House is this Saturday, September 13 from 11am-2pm.
We'd love to meet you!