PHOTOS: Baby horse rescued from ravine in Fremont
When ABC7 News first reported on the story Monday night, the Animal Control officer who rescued the colt was hoping for donations to pay for his medical care. Thanks to viewers like you, who came through in a big way, it's been a very busy day.
He is a mellow and extremely trusting colt, especially for one in so much pain.
"I have been around horses my whole life and I have not seen one this young be so calm and easygoing," said caretaker Patrick Offutt.
For the colt, Tuesday's arrival at UC Davis would be another of uncertainty after an ordeal that has consumed half of his 7-day life.
For Sarah Cattaneo with Fremont Animal Services, this would be a day of hope. When asked how much sleep she got, Cattaneo said she's had five or six hours in two days.
It was Cattaneo who comforted Valentine on Sunday when rescuers pulled him from a creek at the bottom of a ravine in Fremont, where he spent and endured two long days and nights with a broken hip.
When Valentine's story went public Monday night, people from around the world reached out to help. In less than 24 hours, they donated more than $16,000 to pay for his medical care and recovery.
Your donations last night raised $16,000 for the 7 day old colt found at the bottom of a Fremont ravine in a creek. pic.twitter.com/66Z2gpI8jA
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
"One person donated two grand," said Cattaneo. "But a lot of them have been smaller lumps of $10 to $25, and every bit counts."
Early Tuesday afternoon, x-rays revealed at least one break. But they were inconclusive.
"This spot, which is the important part in terms of whether he'd need surgery, is not involved," said one expert.
Surprisingly good news from a CT scan - a second suspected break near a vulnerable artery does not exist. There's no need for surgery.
#valentine Exhale!!! No second fracture. Horse needs long recovery but no surgery. Karma? pic.twitter.com/y05uCisOhy
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Now just one mystery remains -- who owns this colt?
"Other things have come forward," Cattaneo said. "We are just waiting for information to solidify."
Read between the lines.
Click here to donate to Valentine's GoFundMe page.
And click here for more stories and videos about animal rescues.
Valentine is now in the care of @ucdavisvetmed staff where he will stay while his broken pelvis and rib heal. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/vMRRoXKbRX
— Fremont Police Dept (@FremontPD) February 17, 2016
We can't thank @ucdavisvetmed enough for their kindness today and know that Valentine is in good care. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/WUliLvunIq
— Fremont Police Dept (@FremontPD) February 17, 2016
#valentine has just emerged from his CT Scan. . Does he need surgery? Will it help? #abc7newsbayarea Stand by. pic.twitter.com/033uFJUZYd
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#valentine walking okay, but concerns about rupturing artery in broken pelvis. #abc7now #ucdavisvetmed pic.twitter.com/7d34KHX48r
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Here's the break that greatly concerns them. Cat Scan upcoming in an hour. #valentine #abc7now pic.twitter.com/8iU86tS2KS
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Here it is in three dimensions. #valentine #abc7now pic.twitter.com/UKf3C85cKq
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Here's the break that greatly concerns them. Cat Scan upcoming in an hour. #valentine #abc7now pic.twitter.com/8iU86tS2KS
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#valentine being well cared for at #UCdavisvetmed pic.twitter.com/EVkJQIeg0U
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#valentine now being evaluated at UC Davis. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/EPGc8bVh2J
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#valentine at #UCDavis prepping for an iv and xrays pic.twitter.com/k1upEyaXv4
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
While shooting with #Valentine, yesterday, she asked us to help raise the money.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Has received more than 150 pledges pic.twitter.com/Et1ESrUNEl
#Valentine’s plight touched Sarah Carraneo of Fremont Animal Services. She has spent two nights with the colt. pic.twitter.com/Vj1eRQoIx5
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#valentine is now en route to the hospital for surgery pic.twitter.com/wwhP6DtFsN
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Sara will be putting #Valentine into a trailer this morning and taking the now 7-day old colt to UC Davis. pic.twitter.com/dEO41dJdwD
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
#Valentine fell into a ravine early last weekend and broke his pelvis. Spent 2 days and nights shivering in a creek. pic.twitter.com/eBANHOmFQe
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Thanks to your generosity, #Valentine has the money for his operation.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
You donated more than $10,000 dollars. pic.twitter.com/XTXojopJzw
She runs Owls Crossing Ranch…a home for retired horses. Two women w/soft spots. Special place. #Valentine #abc7now pic.twitter.com/RuqxRdclhC
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
This 6-day-old colt has already been through a lot. pic.twitter.com/S72Yqh118C
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
Here’s the other hero….Diane Offutt of Pleasanton donated the barn and hay to keep #Valentine alive. pic.twitter.com/7wotGeayRu
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
No one has stepped forward to claim #valentine. pic.twitter.com/BhuofDBYny
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 16, 2016
