Janet O’Neill | April 5, 2008
Owners give up animals as costs run high in weak economy
COTTONWOOD -- America’s dreary economy is claiming a passel of four-legged, shaggy-tailed victims.
Linda Richards, owner of Safe Haven Horse Rescue and Sanctuary on West Anderson Drive, is getting calls every day from people who just can’t afford to keep their equine companions. The current horse population on her 25-acre spread is “way too many,” she said.
Translated, that number is something in the neighborhood of 40.
“We are overwhelmed right now,” Richards said Thursday. “We’re looking for serious foster homes. It’s the economy.”
Recently, she took in a horse from an elderly couple because the husband was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She was more than happy to save it from being euthanized. But other stories are starting to repeat.
“People are losing their homes,” Richards said. “They’ve lost their jobs. It’s the cost of living.”
And the cost of owning a horse is going up with everything else.
A bale of hay costs between $15 and $18, Richards said, an expense she calls “outrageous” and the highest she’s seen. A horse can devour that in a week.
It follows that Safe Haven’s expenses are up along with everyone else’s. The sanctuary goes through 2 tons of alfalfa hay a week—that doesn’t include the special mush some of the animals require—and at $240 a pop, it adds up.
Horse lovers like Lisa Lashaway, who lives outside Los Angeles, are trying to help. She sponsors an Arabian mare named Beauty at Safe Haven for a tax-deductible $65 a month. She also volunteers for the nonprofit sanctuary.
“A lot of horses that would be going to slaughter are saved,” Lashaway said of the sanctuary.
In addition to donations, Safe Haven relies heavily on an annual fundraiser to keep afloat. Its Spring Playday is scheduled for April 13 at Bobby Jones Arena in Cottonwood.
Also entertaining for spectators, it’s open to riders of all levels of experience who compete for prizes. Among the eight events are barrel racing, pole bending and other gymkhana-type contests. Food, raffle tickets and Safe Haven merchandise will be available for sale.
Richards hopes to hold two play days this year, as opposed to last year’s one, so she can continue to care for abused and orphaned horses until new homes are found. She says one thoroughbred who went from 700 to 1,000 pounds in her care is typical of the rewards of her work.
“She’s healthy; she’s happy,” Richards said. “We adopt out a lot of good horses.”
XP—What is "happy to save it from being euthanized" about anyway? I thought chemical euthanasia was the great and wise solution to the problem? (Sorry, I don't agree with that wasteful and environmentally unfriendly option.)
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