Left Behind - Two New Faces at HARPS
September 4th, 2008
by Linda Gordon
As our nations economy crisis continues, phone calls and emails continue to flood the office daily regarding horses that need to be placed in new homes. Many people have lost their jobs, are struggling to feed their families, and face foreclosure of their homes. Not only are humans facing hardship, but their pets are as well. We are also feeling the pinch, as a nonprofit organization without government funding we rely solely on donations, memberships and the occasional grant. Due to funding and capacity, we cannot honor every request to take in horses that need placement; in those cases we try to help by sharing resources and information that might help find the horses a new home.
Recently, the story of two horses in desperate need was brought to our attention, and that's when we met Mary, China and Fortune. Mary is a police officer in a Southern Suburb of Chicago, takes riding lessons, and is carefully saving money to buy her own horse. It was there at the lesson barn she saw two malnourished horses in a weedy pasture on an adjacent property. After inquiring about the horses and the owner, she discovered that the horses were quite elderly (in their 30's) and the property had recently been foreclosed. The owners could not afford to care for their horses, and would soon have to vacate the premisis. For weeks, Mary had been using her own 'horse fund money' to buy hay and grain to feed the two horses that had quickly found their way into her heart; and waking up at 3:30 am to take care of them before she went on duty. China and Fortune, although malnourished, greeted Mary with bright eyes and enthusiastic whinnies and began to show signs of improvement under her care. For financial reasons, Mary was told that the only options left for the horses were euthanasia, or they would simply be left behind. Mary could not accept that because of their age and their owners misfortune, that China and Fortune would be discarded in such a manner, but due to the foreclosure, time was running out for the horses. Having limited resources herself, Mary had to find someone who could help; that's when she contacted HARPS.
China and Fortune arrived on September 3rd, and have been happily grazing on lush pasture, barely lifting their heads to look around at their new home. They will require equine senior in small portions several times throughout the day and barring any unforeseen health issues, we expect China and Fortune to steadily progress over the next several weeks. We will be posting news of their progress, so check back often! Mary couldn't save China and Fortune without HARPS, and HARPS can't do it without YOU! Your donations are greatly appreciated.
by Linda Gordon
As our nations economy crisis continues, phone calls and emails continue to flood the office daily regarding horses that need to be placed in new homes. Many people have lost their jobs, are struggling to feed their families, and face foreclosure of their homes. Not only are humans facing hardship, but their pets are as well. We are also feeling the pinch, as a nonprofit organization without government funding we rely solely on donations, memberships and the occasional grant. Due to funding and capacity, we cannot honor every request to take in horses that need placement; in those cases we try to help by sharing resources and information that might help find the horses a new home.
Recently, the story of two horses in desperate need was brought to our attention, and that's when we met Mary, China and Fortune. Mary is a police officer in a Southern Suburb of Chicago, takes riding lessons, and is carefully saving money to buy her own horse. It was there at the lesson barn she saw two malnourished horses in a weedy pasture on an adjacent property. After inquiring about the horses and the owner, she discovered that the horses were quite elderly (in their 30's) and the property had recently been foreclosed. The owners could not afford to care for their horses, and would soon have to vacate the premisis. For weeks, Mary had been using her own 'horse fund money' to buy hay and grain to feed the two horses that had quickly found their way into her heart; and waking up at 3:30 am to take care of them before she went on duty. China and Fortune, although malnourished, greeted Mary with bright eyes and enthusiastic whinnies and began to show signs of improvement under her care. For financial reasons, Mary was told that the only options left for the horses were euthanasia, or they would simply be left behind. Mary could not accept that because of their age and their owners misfortune, that China and Fortune would be discarded in such a manner, but due to the foreclosure, time was running out for the horses. Having limited resources herself, Mary had to find someone who could help; that's when she contacted HARPS.
China and Fortune arrived on September 3rd, and have been happily grazing on lush pasture, barely lifting their heads to look around at their new home. They will require equine senior in small portions several times throughout the day and barring any unforeseen health issues, we expect China and Fortune to steadily progress over the next several weeks. We will be posting news of their progress, so check back often! Mary couldn't save China and Fortune without HARPS, and HARPS can't do it without YOU! Your donations are greatly appreciated.
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