Rescued Horse Care https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/proposals-2010/rescued-horse-care https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/@@site-logo/sitelogo-75x75.png

Rescued Horse Care

Additional Information
Used for	The Houston SPCA will use this money to purchase two manure spreaders, one veterinary stock and food for the horses in our care. We keep over 200 horses, goats and donkeys at our two locations in Houston and Waller, TX. Manure spreaders will reduce and recycle the waste produced at both ranches, and the horse stock will offer a safe, controlled environment for our equines to receive veterinary care.
Benefits	The Houston SPCA provides rescue and shelter to horses, and nearly all of our equine and farm animals are rescues from neglect, cruelty and abuse. Our services save the lives of horses suffering from cruelty and neglect, and demand has only increased as the economy has continued to struggle. Not only do we give these abused horses a second chance at life, but we also improve the lives of adopters, as animal companionship reduces depression and stress and increases morale, psychological wellbeing, empathy and socialization.
Proposal Description	Established in 1924, the Houston SPCA is the oldest and largest animal protection agency in Houston and the Gulf Coast area. The mission of the Houston SPCA is to promote commitment to and respect for all animals and to free them from suffering, abuse and exploitation. Our vision is that we will lead our community to appreciate the value of animals. Although the Houston SPCA primarily serves Houston and the surrounding areas, our agency-wide impact extends across Texas and the Gulf Coast. Committed to all animals, the Houston SPCA has the capacity to provide quality, humane care to dogs and cats; small mammals, such as guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits; birds; farm animals, like horses, goats, pigs and more. Our shelter is also the only one in the region that can provide temporary, humane shelter to big cats and other exotic animals, like bears and chimpanzees, before they are permanently placed in sanctuaries or accredited zoos. Programs and services include: sheltering; adoptions; foster care; lost and found matching; humane education programs; cruelty investigations; a rescue service that operates Houston’s only 24-hour injured animal ambulance; spay/neuter of all adopted animals; the PetSafe program, which enables victims of domestic violence to safely board their pets free of charge while they seek shelter; an animal behavior helpline and classes to promote pet retention; disaster relief services; a pet loss support group, facilitated by a licensed professional counselor; Animeals on Wheels, for housebound seniors; and the pet therapy program, provided to nursing homes by Junior League volunteers. All programs and services offered by the Houston SPCA—excluding adoptions, pet-training classes and Critter Camp—are free of charge, and we are proud to report that we place 100% of our healthy, behaviorally sound animals into lifelong new homes. The Houston SPCA provides loving, humane care to horses, cows, goats, pigs and other farm animals at two locations: our barns at the main shelter facilities near Downtown Houston and a 60 acre ranch in Waller, Texas. We have over 200 equines and farm animals at these locations, 70 in Houston and over 130 in Waller. Due to the struggling economy, we are seeing an increase in relinquishments of horses, as well as in cruelty reports and rescues. Our horses are largely the victims of animal cruelty and neglect, rescued by our cruelty investigators and injured animal ambulance technicians. Many horses come into our custody malnourished and are in need of rehabilitation prior to adoption. We provide all horses with quality veterinary care, grooming, hoofing, food, and space to roam. Due to the range of care and services our horses receive, the equine care component of our animal services can be costly. The Houston SPCA respectfully requests a total of $5,000 from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation. Funding will be allocated on our $695,000 Animal Welfare Budget, which includes food, medical care, supplies and other expenses that will directly benefit the animals we shelter and rescue. Specifically, we will utilize this money to purchase much-needed equine care equipment, which will aid us in the provision of care to our animals and have a positive impact on the environment. Due to the large number of horses in our care, a large amount of manure is produced each day. Currently, that manure is shoveled into large plastic bags, which are then disposed of. Between the two locations, our horses produce enough manure to fill several of these large bags each day. Not only is this costly, as we go through many bags each month, but this is also a wasteful practice. The plastic bags cost us and they cost the environment. At $1,700 each for two manure spreaders (one to be allocated to each facility), this $3,400 purchase will provide us with a way of fertilizing over 60 acres of pasture, giving the animals fresh grass to enjoy as they spend their time outdoors. In purchasing these manure spreaders, we will be able to put the animals’ waste to productive, natural use, and reduce our reliance on wasteful plastic bags. An additional $1,000 will be allocated on the purchase of veterinary horse stock. Horse stocks provide a safe, controlled enclosure for horses to stand in while veterinarians administer care, and they are an invaluable tool in equine upkeep. Our current stock is old and beginning to show wear and tear due to its age. A new stock is an investment that will last for years, fostering the ease with which the horses can receive proper veterinary care, while also protecting the veterinarians if the horse becomes startled or aggressive. The remaining $600 will be allocated on hay and feed for the equines and farm animals. A $5,000 gift from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation will ensure that our life-saving and community-serving efforts can continue through this time of economic hardship, when our animals need help the most.