Abandoned Sacramento Horses
Two female mother horses with babies by their side were found
abandoned in Sacramento County in December. Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation has been caring for them, but despite
outreach efforts, no one has shown any interest in adopting them.
“While the Sacramento County
Animal Care & Regulation Department can investigate, seize and provide emergency care for abandoned and neglected horses,
we cannot provide long term care nor do we have the resources and experience to ensure optimum horse adoptions,” said
Pat Claerbout, Animal Shelter Director. “Our partnership with The Grace Foundation helps with assessment, long term
care and with placement.” The Grace Foundation has already taken one horse that was severely neglected and is providing
care and treatment , Claerbout added. 
While the Grace Foundation of Northern California typically allows
the horses additional time and training until homes can be found, they are currently home to 150 horses and taking more is
not possible without help.
“Each new horse costs our organization more than $2,500 per year,” said
Executive Director Beth DeCaprio. “With adoptions slowing and neglect on the rise, it is a struggle to take on more.”
These horses could easily cost our organization an additional $25,000 plus this year and we simply do not have the funds to
care for them, DeCaprio added.
At the first of the year The Grace Foundation assumed responsibility for an ailing
non-profit organization – Ride and Shine – that offered therapeutic programs for Children with special needs.
“We are trying to help everywhere we can in the community, but without additional assistance we simply cannot spread
ourselves out any more,” DeCaprio said.
Both
organizations are hoping that people will come forward to adopt the horses, or donate to the Grace Foundation to enable them
to take these horses.
Please click on the picture above to see the interview as it aired on Channel
10 News
Peaches
is one of the 5 horses taken from an abusive home in Sacramento County by Animal Control. She was emaciated and was almost crippled due to lack of hoof care. Not only was she
not given food, but she was unable to get around in order to graze on what little grass there was available.
It looked as if the only humane option for Peaches was going to be
euthanasia, but once Grace Foundation Veterinarian Dr. Mike Russell met her and saw how sweet and loving she was, he knew
that he had to do whatever he could to save her.
Dr. Mike and Bob Smith of Pacific Coast horseshoeing school, have spent many hours trying to get Peaches back on
her feet. Today, she is actually able to go out and graze and although she is not out of the woods, Dr. Mike is hopeful
that she will be able to be saved. Dr. Mike feels that she would make a wonderful therapy horse.
Until then, Peaches is going to require a great deal of medical
and hoof care. You can help Peaches by making a donation towards her care! Thank you for your help.
Ways You Can Help!
-
Sponsor one of our Horses or one of the horses from Sacramento County for $100 per month or pay $1,000 up front
for one year.
- Make a Tax-Deductible Donation via
the web with a credit card or with a check made payable to The Grace Foundation.
- Adopt one of our horses at
the Grace Foundation or Sacramento County.
-
Donate land to provide sanctuary - please call 916-941-0800 for more details.
