Horse Rescue Offers Low Cost Euthanasia Clinic

[magayle]

From the Horse.com

Quote:


NorCal Equine Rescue in Oroville, Calif., will offer a low-cost euthanasia clinic on Dec. 17 for owners who, due to economic or other reasons, are unable to care for their horses. Owners will be charged $25 for the euthanasia service, which will be performed by veterinarians.
Clinic participation requires owners to sign a release allowing the rescue to retain and place potentially adoptable horses. Horses that prove to be unsuitable for adoption will be humanely euthanized through the rescue's Final Act of Kindness program.
"The clinic is designed to provide financially strapped owners with an alternative to bringing their horses to auction where they may not sell, or may sell a very low price," said NorCal Co-Founder and Vice President Tawnee Preisner.
The group plans to host similar events several times per year. For details, call 530/534-7742 or e-mail info@savethehorse.com.

[Toodlestoo]

Wow, I guess this is a good idea. Better than letting the horses starve to death. And...they will try to place the adoptable horses. I'm just grateful I don't have to make this heartbreaking decision.:(

[JackieB]

I hate to have to say this, but this is an excellent program. Nobody, nobody wants to see our beloved horses go to the Rainbow Bridge early, but it's infinitely preferable to suffering from lack of food and basic care.

Bless them. I'm going to give that group a call and thank them personally for agreeing to put themselves through some suffering (it is undoubtedly very emotionally draining to do this work) so that the horses don't have to.

[magayle]

thanks for your insight jackieB...makes this sad news a little less heartbreaking...perhaps the news of this new service will make people consider adoption rather then purchasing or breeding

[SedonaThunder]

I think this is FABULOUS! In my neck of the woods the horses that don't sell at the auction are sold to the "meat man" and he hauls them ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO!!:eek:

I know that people's hearts were in the right place when they shut down slaughter in the U.S. but it didn't stop slaughter AT ALL - the horses are now just being subjected to a long haul, under terrible conditions, and a much worse death the way it's handled in Mexico. I have recently become involved with a "rescue help" group here in my town (we have a BIG sales barn here with a lot of horses headed to Mexico once a month) and there are a couple of us that would like to see something like this started here. I REALLY appreciate your posting this article as I will be forwarding it along to all the people in this group today.

Again, peoples hearts are in the right place and I understand wanting to save the horses from the "Mexico trip" BUT buying non-fixable horses at auction and then putting them back in the pasture isn't helping! After seeing the two horses this group purchased (at a higher price than the meat man would have paid I might add!) last month I was feeling pretty sad and defeated. I don't mean to be cold but I can not see the point in spending a lot of money to "save" a horse with a swayback, laminitis and stringhalt. These horses are eating a lot of money to stand UNCOMFORTABLE in a pasture while a sound horse is heading for Mexico. Let's find a way to get these horses from the meat man (at the same price he'd pay) and have them humanely euthanized - then spend our larger dollars on the horses that have a future and will be able to be placed.

[Suzi]

Wow, its one of those things you immedatly think how awful, but I see the need for it. It going to ba tough decsion for some folks.

[FredRock]

I'm glad someone is doing this, especially the adoption if applicable part. It's nice because the people can get rid of a horse that they can't sell and can't afford.

[Buckpoco]

I'm so glad to hear that this program was started. It's so much kinder to euthanize than ship to Mexico. I originally was in favor of closing slaughter houses, but now the situation is worse since so many did close. My heart breaks for those sick, lame, old or unwanted horses. I'd so much rather see them euthanized. I hope this idea takes off...Amen.

[oursarge]

I'm so glad to hear that this program was started. It's so much kinder to euthanize than ship to Mexico. I originally was in favor of closing slaughter houses, but now the situation is worse since so many did close. My heart breaks for those sick, lame, old or unwanted horses. I'd so much rather see them euthanized. I hope this idea takes off...Amen.


Me too, it's so heartbreaking to not be able to keep a horse but I'd rather see it put down humanely than make a long horrid trip to Mexico It's just so sad.

The stable our mare is at just lost their oldest horse, nobody knew how old he was, my friend just said he was older than dirt. He had a very long happy life, they took great care of him and when the end was near they just let him go. We all felt awful but glad that he was able to die in a place he loved. I feel bad for the horses that don't have that love and die alone.

[Ms Eddi]

This is a good thing, I wish we didn't need it but we do. I wish more vets would offer this.

[Cat]

Its a heartbreaking option, but better than the alternative in many cases.

We have a Equine Humane Center that opened here in Kentucky. Some people are up-in-arms about it because they Euth horses. But you know what? They don't turn away any horse in need and tell the owners up front that if they can not adopt the horse, it will be put down. They have a set limit of horses they know they can feed and if they get more than that, then it is time for some to be put down. However, it is done humanely and is probably the one hopeful light for many of these horses. They get a chance at being adopted and then if they are not, at least the end is humane for them.

But yet people think this is a bad thing. I just don't understand.

[oursarge]

Its a heartbreaking option, but better than the alternative in many cases.

We have a Equine Humane Center that opened here in Kentucky. Some people are up-in-arms about it because they Euth horses. But you know what? They don't turn away any horse in need and tell the owners up front that if they can not adopt the horse, it will be put down. They have a set limit of horses they know they can feed and if they get more than that, then it is time for some to be put down. However, it is done humanely and is probably the one hopeful light for many of these horses. They get a chance at being adopted and then if they are not, at least the end is humane for them.

But yet people think this is a bad thing. I just don't understand.

I think people think it's bad because they want every horse to have a good and loving home. I hate the thought of horses [or any animal] dying just because there are too many of them. it makes me so sad, I wish they'd all have someone to love them until the end.

People live in la la land thinking everything will have a happy ending and no animal will ever have to die. That's not reality, there are too many meeting horrible endings. If I have the choice of sending them to a horrible death or a humane one I'd pick humane but I truly wish that it wasn't needed but glad it's offered.

[Cat]

I'm with you, I wish there wasn't a need, but glad its offered.

[Buckpoco]

I don't believe people would think it's bad if they knew what happens to horses if they go to auction or to Mexico. I have lots of friends who hide their heads in the sand and don't want to know what happens to unwanted horses. I think it's cowardly...and then they oppose euthanasia...I think the Center in Kentucky is WONDERFUL!!!

[Cat]

And you know those people at the center love horses. Imagine how hard it is for them to have to watch a good horse be put down. I would not be able to do what they do, though they are doing such a service for the horses. It takes strong people to do that.

[oursarge]

I couldn't do it either, it does take strong people to see an animal they love having to die because nobody wants it or the owners can not afford to keep it. It's heartbreaking. I am happy there are people who are strong enough to do it but I imagine it's a job that can get to you after awhile.

My vet says that it's the very worst part of his job, he knows it's for the best when he puts an animal down but he still feels sad. I don't know if it's true or not but my friend who is also one of his patients [well her horses are!] said he told her that putting my boy down was the worst day of his career. He was with us from the beginning, he just started his practice when he came here and that last day was so bad. Everyone knew the bond I had with that horse. That day will never stop haunting me. I am glad I could let him go humanely and not have to send him off.

If I couldn't keep my horses for some reason and couldn't find homes for them I think I'd pick the put them down option rather than thinking they'd be sent to Mexico or in a home full of abuse. I know that's what would happen to one of mine since he will probably eventually go blind. When he first had his issues I had people thinking I'd send him off. I wanted to smack them. He's mine forever, I just hope so much that we can always keep them.