Each of the 133 horses rescued from a Centreville farm are receiving medical care and plenty of food thanks to several organizations that are struggling financially to care for them.
On April 29, Queen Anne’s County Animal Services, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), in conjunction with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Days End Farm Horse Rescue removed 133 neglected Polish Arabian horses from a Centreville farm. Additional assistance was provided by Summerwinds Stables, Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, Lost and Found and local equine professionals and volunteers.
The animals seized by Queen Anne’s County Animal Services from the Centreville farm range in age from yearlings to more than 20 years old, and were suffering from signs of severe neglect. The horses are now being held as evidence as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, so limited information and photos can be released at this time. Each horse will receive a medical evaluation from an equine veterinarian, and the on-going care and attention they need to recover.
Queen Anne’s County Animal Services is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, The HSUS, ASPCA, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, all of the involved horse rescues and fostering farms, local veterinarians, local contributing retail stores Southern States and Kingstown Farm Center and a very dedicated team of volunteers who donated their time free of charge for the rescue of these horses. Queen Anne’s County Animal Services Director Dave MacGlashan said, “This was a huge undertaking that took a tremendous amount of various resources to accomplish. At this time all organizations involved in this rescue are focused on the welfare and rehabilitation of the horses.”
The HSUS and the ASPCA has pledged upfront funding to return these horses back to a healthy state. Queen Anne’s County Administrator Gregg Todd said, “This is a most generous pledge of support by The Humane Society of the United States and The American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This pledge alleviates additional financial strain upon Queen Anne’s County, which is already working to balance an upcoming 2012 deficit budget.”
“I would like to commend Director MacGlashan and his staff for realizing the magnitude of this situation and for reaching out to The Humane Society of the United States and Days End Horse Farm Horse Rescue for their assistance,” Todd added. “Most importantly, Director MacGlashan and his staff, in conjunction with national and state associations, were able to rescue the horses and save the county from incurring a debt that may reach several hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Donations for the care of these animals are appreciated and can be directed to Days End Farm Horse Rescue (www.defhr.org or 410/442-1564) which has set up a restricted fund to assist with the care of these horses. The Humane Society of the United States is also accepting donations. They can be sent to the Attention of Stacy Segal, The Humane Society of the United States, 700 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, MD. Those interested in donating time, services, or making an online donation can email: ssegal@hsus.org Donations are very much needed and greatly appreciated.