Rescuing a horse? Here’s what you’re getting into
“AT THIS POINT, EVERYONE’S THINKING WITH THEIR HEARTS”
ARMSTRONG – We’ve seen a lot of generosity and kindness in the weeks following an animal cruelty case, but the SPCA is cautioning people not to let good intentions cloud their judgement.
Armstrong man Gary Roberts faces two charges of animal cruelty, and has been court ordered to sell all 100 of his remaining horses. A dispersal sale is set for Feb. 7 at Valley Auction in Armstrong, but before people jump in to rescue a horse, senior animal protection officer Kathy Woodward wants prospective buyers to know what they're getting into.
“Horses are a very expensive hobby,” Woodward says. “One vet bill could cost you $500. Just the feed over the winter is a huge expense.”
Sixteen of the horses in the worst shape were seized from Roberts’ property and brought into the care of the SPCA. They required extensive vet attention, blood work, nutritional supplements, and farrier work, among other costs. In just a week, thousands of dollars were spent providing for the animals. Even with such intensive care, three foals died.
“We just want to ensure people are sure of their resources, their expertise, and their time. These animals are going to require a lot of work going forward,” Woodward says.
Horse ownership is not something to rush into, she says. It’s a lot of work, and it can easily get out of hand, just like it did for Roberts.
"People think 'okay, I’ll take one more to rescue it',” Woodward says. “Then you get into a situation like we deal with every day where people take on more than they have the resources for and pretty soon we’re investigating them.”
The now 13 horses being cared for in SPCA foster homes will eventually be available for adoption. Woodward says individuals wanting to adopt them will go through a strict screening process ensuring they weren’t previously charged or investigated for animal cruelty, and that they have adequate resources to take on the animals. That kind of screening doesn’t happen at an auction.
“What happens is people go into the auction setting and it’s just electrical in there. Everybody’s pumped up,” Woodward says.
“At this point, everyone’s thinking with their hearts.”
Anyone wishing to inquire about adopting a horse, or interested in making a donation, can contact their local SPCA branch. You can reach the Vernon branch at 250-549-7297.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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8 responses
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The SPCA recommended to the court that the rest of the herd be sold. SPCA does not have the authority to write such orders. I doubt the Judge woke up one day and issued the order because he read it in a newspaper. Poor timing, consideringthe horses were beingmonitored for over a year.
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I think the SPCA should issue vouchers for geldingpaid for out of the owner’s share of the proceeds to those purchasing the 16 to 18 male horses that have been running loose. That would ensure those purchasers would not become back yard breeders and continue the problem.
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great advice, it is frustrating to often see horses offered for rehoming because the person that ‘rescued’ them doesn’t have the experience or resources to care for them properly.
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SecondGo Horses rehomes auction horses sold to meat buyers because no one else was interested.
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Patty-Jo The SPCA DID NOT order the seizure of the other horses.A Judge did in a Court Order.The SPCA sized the original 16 of which 3 foals have died since.
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I think it’s just stupid that the SPCA has ordered the rest of the herd be sold in the dead of winter.Just that puts these animals at risk for needing to be transported on winter roads. The good news is,there has been lots of social media traffic about these animals and the horse community, especially Marie, from Second Go Horses and Valley Auction, are doing a great job at ensuring the auction house will be filled with horse savvy buyers from all over the province. Many thanks to them.
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