ABC7 News viewers help save horses at Equine Rescue Center
HOLLISTER, Calif. (KGO) -- ABC7 News viewers have come through in big way to help rescue abandoned horses. Animal advocates say thousands of horses are starving or being sent to slaughter because their owners can't afford to care for them. Two weeks ago, we introduced you to a rescue group trying to save as many horses as possible and the response was overwhelming.
Animal advocates say the long drought and soaring cost of hay is leading many California horse owners to give up their animals. Tens of thousands of horses end up being sold cheap at auctions then shipped to other countries to be sold as horse meat, which is illegal in the United States.
Christina Burdios of Novato learned about the glut of unwanted horses watching ABC7 News. Burdios said the story helped her and a friend, Anne Calder, decide to adopt two rescued horses that were almost auctioned off for horse meat, but were rescued by the non-profit Equine Rescue Center and Sanctuary.
The center is a haven for neglected, abused, and abandoned horses. It was founded in the Bay Area by Monica Hardeman. Just a few months ago, the center moved to a new 400 acre home south of Hollister, in San Benito County. They now have about 70 horses.
Hardeman has had amazing success rehabilitating horses and finding them homes, but she is struggling to pay for hay which has doubled in price over the last year and costs her a minimum of $8,000 a month. The rescue center also needs shelters to create shade for the horses and an irrigation system that will eventually bring up well water on the property so the center can grow its own hay and save money.
After our ABC7 News story aired outlining the problems, Hardeman got 600 emails in just 24 hours. Hardeman said there was an outpouring of volunteers, donations and warm words of encouragement.
Some people simply showed up at the ranch with cash, including the woman who delivers the mail. Hardeman said, "She hands me my mail and gives me a $100 bill!" The center has now received $12,000 in donations since our story aired.
There have also been a lot of inquiries from people who want to adopt horses. Burdios and Calder drove to the ranch just a couple of days after seeing the horses on ABC7 News.
"It is critical that people step up and at least give rescues a chance. You think rescue horses, they are old, they are not rideable, but that's not the case. There's so many that are perfect," according to Burdios. She took home an 8-year-old quarter horse that is well trained and in excellent health.
The rescue center does have older horses as well. Many will live out their lives at the ranch, but some do get adopted as family pets or to be company for another horse. Calder plans to provide a foster home for 30-year-old Sammy who appeared in our first story.
Atherton investor Craig Duling is a big supporter of the rescue center. He helped them buy their new home. "This resonated with me because of the phenomenal abuse that these horses go through, and that just sort of touched a soft spot in my heart."
All the support and public attention have given Hardeman even more determination to keep the rescue work going. "The story has just really changed everything for us." And she knows the horses thank you too.
Of course the Equine Rescue Center can still use more help. They can only take as many horses as they can afford to feed. The center has a big fundraising event coming up in Woodside October 4. If you want to buy tickets, contribute, adopt a horse or volunteer here is the link with more information: www.equinerescuecenter.com
You can also contact the center by mail or phone:
Equine Rescue Center and Sanctuary
34565 Panoche Rd
Paicines, CA 95043
Phone: 831-840-1412
Written and produced by Jennifer Olney
